ROMAN. EGYPT, Alexandria. Claudius. A.D. 41-54. Billon Tetradrachm. Dated RY 2, A.D. 41/2. Laureate head right; LB (date) to right / Messalina standing left, leaning on column right, holding two children in outstretched hand and cradling grain ears. RPC I 5115; Dattari (Savio) 121; K&G 12.5. NGC VF, with edge chip. This tetradrachm presents an arresting dynastic portrait type for Messalina, Claudius' third wife, whose appearance on Alexandrian coinage sits in sharp contrast to her later downfall and execution in A.D. 48 after allegations of conspiracy at court. Ex Stack's Bowers Galleries, June 2020 Collector's Choice World Auction, lot 72068 (24 June 2020), hammered USD 180.

Estimate: AUD 300