Claudius II Gothicus, 268-270. Aureus (Gold, 22 mm, 4.75 g, 6 h), Rome, December 268-early 269. IMP C CLAVDIVS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Claudius II to right, seen from behind.
Rev. GENIVS EXERCI Genius standing front, head to left, holding patera in his right hand and cornucopiae in his left. Calicó -. Cohen -. RIC -. RIC V online 141 (one example recorded) = Numismatica Ars Classica 54 (2010), 574 (
same dies). Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example. A bold piece with a very attractive portrait. Light scratches on the obverse and with a flan crack and remnants of a removed mount on the reverse
, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
From the collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, privately acquired from Bank Leu on 19 June 1969 (with a photocopy of the original invoice enclosed).
Claudius II' gold coinage is always difficult to acquire. Unfortunately, this example appears to have once been worn as a brooch, with clear traces of a removed mount on the reverse. It makes up for these defects with a very attractive portrait that far surpasses the imperial imagery we normally find on Claudius' antoniniani.
