Ave!

Nero and Drusus Caesars, Dupondius, Very Rare!

Æ Dupondius. Struck under Caligula. Rome mint ca. 37-38 AD.

Con/ Some roughness on the obverse, otherwise, about Extremely Fine. A fresh and beautiful coin with a nearly unblemished deep green patina.

Obv/ NERO ET DRVSVS CAESARES; Nero & Drusus on horseback riding right, cloaks flying.

Rev/ C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG PM TR POT IIII PP S-C

Ref/ RIC Vol I, 49 = Rare 2!

Seller's Note/ Nero and Drusus were the eldest sons of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, and therefore ultimately descended from Mark Antony, Agrippa, and Augustus himself. More significantly Tiberius adopted both sons as grandchildren, and it was thought that Nero, being the oldest, would succeed Tiberius. However, Nero and his mother were accused of treason in 29 AD, and Nero’s demise quickly followed when he was exiled to the island of Ponza. Drusus suffered a similar fate a year later in 30 AD and, having been accused of plotting against his Grandfather and Emperor, he was thrown into prison in 33 AD where he was left to starve. As all three of them died in exile they would later be commemorated on the coins of Gaius Caligula, their youngest son and brother, respectively.