Ancient Coin of the Day: A really classy aureus of Claudius, issued ca. AD 50-54, celebrating Nero's admission into the four great priestly colleges of Rome. #ACOTD #Claudius

Image: RIC Claudius 76; State Coin Collection of Munich example

Claudius' adoption of Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, the son of Agrippina, on 25 February AD 50 was a major political event, highlighted by its being commemorated by the Arval Brethren in their annual ceremonies. The event propelled the young man into the position of successor...

...and saw him awarded with the new name, Nero, as a mark of his adoption into the Claudian family. This coin marks the next stage of his promotion as a potential future emperor, with his admission into the four Roman priestly colleges.

The Obverse features a portrait of the youthful Nero, with a Legend that marks out his significance: NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT - 'Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, Leader of the Younger Generation'. This title would be familiar to many in Rome, as...

...Augustus had bestowed it upon his own grandchildren, Gaius and Lucius, marking them out for political power in the coming years. This too was celebrated on Augustus' coinage, such as this aureus of ca. 2 BC - AD 4.

Image: British Museum (1867,0101.610)

The Reverse also would be familiar to many. Here we see the instruments of the four priestly colleges surrounded by the Legend SACERD COOPT IN OMN CONL SVPRA NVM EX S C - 'Coopted as an additional member of every college of priests, by decree of the Senate'.

The coin is also clearly modelled on the famous denarius issued by Augustus in 16 BC, itself commemorating the fact that Augustus had been created a member of each of these groups.

Image: RIC Augustus 367; British Museum (R.6045)

The adoption of Nero and the subsequent promotion of this youth had a major impact on the succession and the dynastic development of the Julio-Claudians, and was a source of much controversy in the ancient sources.

For more on this issue, see:

John Aveline. “The Death of Claudius.” Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte, vol. 53, no. 4, 2004, pp. 453–475.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/4436743 

#ACOTD #Claudius