41-54 AD., Claudius, contemporary imitation or uncertain provincial branch mint, Sestertius, cf. RIC 99 and 115.

Claudius, imitative issue, uncertain provincial branch mint(?), struck ca. 41-54 AD.,
imitative Æ Sestertius (33-34 mm / 18,80 g),
Obv.: [TI CLAVDIVS CAE]SAR A[VG P M …] , laureate head of Claudius facing r.
Rev.: [SPES AVGVSTA / S C] , Spes advancing left, holding flower and hem of skirt.
for prototypes, cf. RIC I 99 and 115 .

In an attempt to meet the needs of local demand, Claudius' aes coinage was heavily imitated throughout the provinces. Because many of the die engravers making these imitations were highly skilled artisans, style is most often the only key to distinguishing between an imitative and an imperial issue. The portrait of this imitation, suggest it may be struck in a provincial mint.