Nero Claudius Drusus. Died 9 BC. AV aureus, Lugdunum AD 41-42, (7,66 g). Minted under his son, the emperor Claudius. Laureate head of Drusus left / Triumphal arch surmouted by equestrian statue between two trophies, architrave inscribed with DE GERMANIS. A few very faint scratches and small spots of earthen deposits. Very rare.
Referanse:
RIC 71 (Claudius)
Proveniens:
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 84, lot 1761
Proveniens 2:
Ex Künker Auction 273, lot 656
Info:
The triumphal arch depicted on this coin is probably Arcus Drusi that was erected to commemorate Drusus' military victories in Germany. The arch was erected by the Senate shortly after Drusus' death in AD 9, likely after instructions from Augustus. The location of the arch is still debated, and the structure is believed to be lost. The arch right in front of Porta S. Sebastiano on the Appian way has earlier been attributed to Drusus, but scholars have found no evidence for this connection. Historical sources place the real arch closer to the Baths of Caracalla and no traces of this has ever been found. The arch in front of Porta S. Sebastiano was originally flanked by two smaller arches on each side and decorated with marble panels and columns of Numidian marble. Only the central arch is still standing where the brick core, two columns of Numidian marble and traces of the triangular pediment remains. The arch was likely transformed already during the reign of Caracalla when he ordered the arch to be used as a base for the aqueduct Aqua Antoniniana which was constructed in order to supply his grandiose bath complex on the Aventine Hill. Further changes were done during the reign of Honorius when the arch was incorporated into a defensive wall around the city. In medieval times, the arch was used as base for a defensive tower and a few brick layers from this construction remains on top of the arch today.
