Egypt. Alexandria. Claudius, 41-54. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25 mm, 12.35 g). RY 3 = AD 42/3. ΤΙ ΚΛΑYΔΙ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙ ΑYΤΟΚ Laureate head of Claudius right, below date, LΓ at right. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΛΙΝΑ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑΣ Messalina standing front, head turned left, leaning left arm on column, holding two children in her right hand and grain ears in her left. Dattari 123. Geissen 75. RPC I 5131. Emmett 74. Nicely toned. Minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, Very Fine. Ex Leu Numismatik, Web Auktion 11, 22-23.02.2020, lot 1535. A relatively common type of coin, always found much circulated. Our specimen is well centred and of excellent conservation with very pronounced image relief and clear definition of all details. This tetradrachm is part of the family and dynastic propaganda policy promoted by Claudius I. Valeria Messalina, depicted on the reverse, was his third wife and mother of Claudia Octavia (who later married Nero) and of Britannicus, who can be identified in the two small human figures emerging from the palm of the empress' right hand. Messalina is represented here in the guise of the divine Demeter, protector of agriculture and grain and guardian of the cycle of the seasons.