JUDAEA, Roman Administration. Claudius, with Britannicus, Antonia, and Octavia, 41-54. AE (Bronze, 22 mm, 12.53 g, 12 h), Caesarea Panias (Caesarea Philippi), 48/9 (?). TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP•P• Laureate head of Claudius to left. Rev. [A]NTONIA - BRITANNICVS - OCTAVIA from left to right, Antonia, Britannicus, and Octavia, the daughters each holding a cornucopiae. Hendin 6289. Meshorer 350. Rosenberger 11. RPC I 4842. Sofaer 83. Attractive turquoise patina and exceptionally well preserved for the issue. Somewhat rough, otherwise, very fine.


Emperor Claudius, often underestimated because of his stammer, fathered three children despite his physical limitations: Antonia, Britannicus, and Octavia. Antonia, his eldest daughter from his marriage to Aelia Paetina, lived largely outside the political spotlight until 65 CE, when she refused to marry Nero and was executed at his command. Britannicus and Octavia were the children of Claudius’ marriage to his niece, Valeria Messalina. As the emperor’s only biological son and intended successor, Britannicus played a crucial role in the dynastic politics of the imperial household. Everything changed, however, after Claudius married Agrippina the Younger and adopted her son Nero: Britannicus was steadily sidelined and eventually poisoned while still a youth — a decisive act that cleared the way for Nero’s sole rule. Octavia was forced to marry Nero for political reasons and was later repudiated and killed, another grim example of the ruthless power struggles within the Julio-Claudian family.

The reverse of our coin depicts the emperor’s three children: Britannicus, fittingly placed at the center, flanked by his two sisters. Beyond its immediate representational value, such a grouping was far from accidental. By presenting all three offspring together — and prominently displaying Claudius’ only biological son — the type asserted the stability of the imperial household and projected the image of a secure and orderly succession. In a dynasty often troubled by intrigue and uncertainty, this visual emphasis on continuity and legitimate heirs played an important role in reinforcing the authority of Claudius’ reign.

Our coin was struck at Caesarea Panias, though its exact date remains uncertain. The celebration of the imperial children is not unique to this issue; similar types are known from Patrai (RPC 1255), Cyzicus (RPC 2248), Caesarea (RPC 3656), and Alexandria (RPC 5135). The issues from Caesarea and Alexandria carry dates - 48 CE and 42/3 CE respectively. The Caesarean piece is especially close to ours, showing Britannicus on the obverse and his sisters standing on the reverse, clasping their right hands and holding cornucopiae, whereas the earlier Alexandrian issue presents only three small heads above crossed cornucopiae. Since Octavia was born in March 40 and Britannicus in February 41 CE, our depiction of the three standing children - Britannicus already shown in toga - most likely belongs to the late 40s CE.