EMPIRE ROMAIN Lot n° 33

Claudius (41-54). Denarius, apotheosis of Divine Claudius 54, Rome. Av. DIVVS CLAVDIVS AVGVSTVS. Laureate bust to left. Rv. EX SC. Mortuary chariot drawn by four horses on the right. RIC.5 - BMC.201/6 ; Silver - 3,69 g - 18 mm - 6 h From a Stack's sale, collection F. S. Knobloch, May 1, 1980 n° 193 and Tradart 2, New York, December 12, 1983 n° 271. NGC XF 4/5 4/5 Fine Style. Of very fine style, beautiful patina, TTB to Superb. This denarius was struck immediately after the death of the Emperor, October 13, 54, perhaps poisoned by his wife with a dish of mushrooms. The coinage reflects the deification of Claudius, who was the first deified emperor after Augustus. His wife Agrippina also built a temple dedicated to his cult, the Temple of Divine Claudius, on a terrace of the Caelius. If Nero abolished this cult after Agrippina's death and transformed this temple into a nymphaeum, Vespasian restored it and re-established the cult of the divine Claudius