Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia

210, Lot: 188. Estimate $100. Sold for $250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Caesaraea Panias. Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia. Died AD 65 and AD 63, respectively. Æ 20mm (6.00 g, 12h). Struck AD 65-68. Statue of Diva Poppaea seated left within distyle temple / Statue of Diva Claudia standing left within hexastyle temple. RPC I 4846; Meshorer, Caesarea, Pl. 7, H; SNG ANS 858; Hendin 578. Fine, dark green patina under light earthen deposits.

The obverse of this coin honors Poppaea, Nero’s (and previously Otho’s) wife. In January of AD 63, she gave birth to Claudia, who survived only four months. This is the only coinage issued in the name of Nero’s daughter. According to Suetonius, Nero killed Poppaea, while pregnant with another child, by violently kicking her in the abdomen.