Claudius Coin Pack - Aureus

Product Description: This reproduction Aureus coin of Claudius is moulded directly from an original coin and is made from pewter that is 22ct gold plated. The wallet type packaging has a hole on the front in which the coin is held in a clear blister. The coin pack has images of Claudius and his fourth wife Agrippina and the two coins in the collection and has historical information about the coins and about Claudius's life.

Information: The Aureus coin depicts the Triumphal Arch that celebrates the conquest of Britain. The obverse depicts the bust of Claudius and the reverse DE BRITANN on a triumphal arch.

At the assassination of Caligula in January 41 AD, Claudius fled and hid behind one of the curtains in the palace. He was discovered by the Praetorian Guard who declared him emperor. The senate held out against Claudius for two days, before finally accepting him as emperor too.

Although he lacked a military reputation, Claudius sent Aulus Plautius with four legions to conquer Britain in 43 AD. He visited the island for 16 days, to preside over the capture of Colchester, the capital of the new province, and then returned to Rome in triumph. As well as Britain, Claudius added Mauretania (North Africa), Thrace (the Balkans) and Lycia (part of Turkey) to the Roman Empire.

When Claudius arrived in Britain he brought with him 30 war elephants. These were the first historically recorded elephants in northern Europe.

Claudius’s fourth wife was Agrippina Minor, whom he married in 49 AD. Agrippina appointed her own supporters to important positions and persuaded Claudius to adopt her son Domitius, who took the name Nero. Claudius died in October 54 AD after being poisoned, probably by Agrippina, and Nero became Emperor.