Claudius Coins

Frail, chronically ill, and suspected of mental deficiency, Claudius appeared the perfect puppet emperor for his ambitious wife and the Roman army. Nephew of Tiberius, he was literally dragged from hiding at the death of his mad nephew Caligula. Doubted by the Senate, he was the first emperor put in place by the army. His health improved dramatically upon elevation, and he proved both an able financial reformer and a capable general. When the army faltered, Claudius himself conducted the campaign to conquer Britain. He was probably poisoned by his second wife, mother of Nero, in frustration that he was not a puppet after all.

Given Claudius' maltreatment by Caligula and two politically ambitious and faithless wives, it is gratifying to see him portrayed on coins as healthy and strong. Reverses frequently feature the figure of Pax (peace) with a serpent-adorned cadeuseus (Mercury's symbol of health). Others show Messalina, sad tribute to his adulterous first wife.