Aureus of Claudius - Roman Coins Replica
Aureus of Claudius
Obverse: Portrait of Claudius with laurel wreath and the inscription TI(berius) CLAVD(ius) CAESAR AVG(ustus) P(ontifex) M(aximus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) VI IMP(erator) XI. Translation: Tiberius Claudius (name) Caesar Augustus (title of emperor), Pontifex Maximus (highest priesthood), holder of the office of tribune of the people for the sixth time, Imperator (supreme commander) for the 11th time.
The reverse shows a triumphal arch, crowned with an equestrian statue between two trophies. The inscription on the architrave DE BRITANN(is) "(victory) over the Britannians" shows that this coin was issued on the occasion of the victory celebrations after Claudius' conquest of Britain. Replica made of pewter alloy with gold plating.
Material: Pewter alloy with patination.
All coin replicas were cast from originals. They are available individually or in various sets.
Surviving prices for the 1st and 2nd century
1 aureus = 25 denarii,
1 denarius = 25 sestertii,
1 sestertius = 2 dupondii,
1 Dupondius = 2 Ass.
A pig costs 75 denarii
"Pecunia non olet!" - Money does not stink
Emperor Vespasian had taken over from his predecessor Nero a state that was almost bankrupt.
Vespasian reorganised the public budgets with great success. His ingenuity in increasing state revenues was great. Among other things, he introduced a tax on public latrines. When his son Titus objected to this, he held some coins from the tax revenue under his nose and asked if this smell bothered him. Titus had to concede that the money did not stink: Pecunia non olet.
The saying has persisted to this day to justify the possession of money from dubious sources of revenue. The public toilets in Paris are still called "Vespasienne" today. In Italy, too, the public toilets are called "Vespasiani".