Nero Claudius Drusus, died 9 BC. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.71 g, 2 h), Lugdunum, struck under Claudius, circa 41-45. NERO•CLAVDIVS•DRVSVS•GERMANICVS•IMP Head of Nero Claudius Drusus to left, wearing oak wreath. Rev. Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue between two trophies; on architrave DE GERMANIS. Antike Kunst (1967), pl. 52, 486 (this coin). BMC 100. Calicó 316. Cohen 3. RIC 71. Rare. A beautiful piece with a lovely portrait struck on a very broad flan. Very fine.




When Octavian fell in love with Livia in 39 BC, she was pregnant by her first husband, Tiberius Claudius Nero, who agreed to divorce her in order to please his master. Drusus was born in early 38 BC, just months after Octavian married his mother, and he and his older brother, Tiberius, grew up in their stepfather’s household. As they came of age, Octavian - now Augustus - gradually began entrusting his stepsons with important duties. When the Roman army launched a series of offensives against barbarian tribes in central and northern Germany between 12 and 9 BC, Drusus led the charge. The young general proved to be an able commander, winning several battles and pushing deep into enemy territory.

In 9 BC, the Romans reached the Albis (Elbe), but, to Augustus's great grief, Drusus died during the return march after falling from his horse and sustaining fatal injuries. His body was retrieved in Germany by his brother Tiberius whom Augustus did not favor but who would eventually succeed him as emperor in 14 AD. Though no coins were struck in Drusus’ lifetime, his son Claudius issued a commemorative series in his father’s name after his accession to the throne in 41 AD. In these coins, Claudius praised Drusus as the defeater of the Germans, possibly attempting to confer some of his father's military glory upon himself. The triumphal arch depicted on the reverse of the aureus, meanwhile, was commissioned by Augustus to commemorate his beloved stepson’s victories in Germania.