Claudius Underweight Sestertius, downgraded to Dupondius, 
16.85 grams, 34.77 mm. Rome. 41-42 AD.

Obv: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, laureate head 
right, counterstamped DV.
Rev: SPES AVGVSTA, Spes standing left, holding flower and 
raising hem of robe, SC in exergue. 

RIC 99; Cohen 85; Sear 1853. Note: 

The "DV" countermark was used to downgrade underweight 
sestertii to the value of dupondii. Claudius was very fair 
about his coinage and usually ordered these light sestertii 
to be downgraded to dupondii, so that people got their 
moneysworth, so to speak. He even permitted many well made 
counterfeits to remain in circulation, albeit also 
counterstamped and downgraded to a dupondius or an as.

Courtesy of TimeLine Originals (www.time-lines.co.uk), Nov, 2010