CLAUDIUS (41-54)

Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus

"The Temple of Roma and Augustus" Asia was the first Asian province of Rome. This territory came under Roman control in 133 BCE when the last ruler of the Kingdom of Pergamon, Attalus III, bequeathed it to the Roman Republic in his will. Asia became one of the senatorial provinces. Its capital was Ephesus, while other significant cities included Pergamon, Smyrna, Miletus, Sardis, Adramyttium, Cyzicus, Synnada, Halicarnassus, Tralles, Mylasa, and Aezani. For many centuries, this region remained one of the wealthiest parts of the Roman Empire.

In many cities of the province, during the lifetime of Octavian Augustus, temples were erected dedicated to Roma and Augustus, effectively deifying him during his lifetime. To this day, there is debate over the exact minting location of this cistophorus—whether it was Ephesus or (according to RIC) Pergamon.

Denomination: Cistophorus, Ag 

Obverse: Bare head of Claudius to left, TI CLAVD CAES AVG

Reverse: Distyle temple of Roma and Augustus set on three steps; within, statue of Augustus, on the left, standing facing, holding scepter and being crowned by female figure, on the right, standing facing and holding cornucopiae; on entablature, COM - ASI

Mint: Ephesus, 41/42 A.D.

Weight: 10,73 g

Diameter: 26mm

Provenance: Leu Numismatik, ex James Knox Collection of Biblical related coins, ex Lanz 154, 11 June 2012

Riferimento : 4.1 RIC I 120, RSC 3, RPC I 2221

Collezione : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 01 - Julio-Claudian