Fine Coins Showcase
Antiquities Showcase
New & Reduced
Jun 03, 2023
Greek Coins
Byzantine Coins
May 30, 2023
Medieval & Modern Coins
May 29, 2023
May 26, 2023
May 25, 2023
Roman Coins
May 24, 2023
Roman Coins
May 23, 2023
Greek Coins
May 16, 2023
Roman Coins
May 15, 2023
Greek Coins
Apr 30, 2023
Greek Coins
Apr 28, 2023
Roman Coins
Mar 21, 2023
Judean & Biblical Coins
Mar 12, 2023
Roman Coins
Mar 11, 2023
Roman Coins
Jan 18, 2023
Roman Coins
Dec 31, 2022
Nov 24, 2022
Roman Coins
Themes & Provenance
Nov 15, 2022
Judean & Biblical Coins
Nov 11, 2022
Greek Coins
Nov 09, 2022
Roman Coins
Nov 02, 2022
Greek Coins
Oct 17, 2022
Roman Coins
Sep 20, 2022
Roman Coins
Sep 19, 2022
Greek Coins
Aug 30, 2022
Greek Coins
Jun 30, 2022
Greek Coins
Apr 09, 2022
Greek Coins
Mar 18, 2022
Roman Coins
Mar 14, 2022
Roman Coins
Feb 23, 2022
Antiquities
Feb 16, 2022
Roman Coins
Jan 31, 2022
Byzantine Coins
Nov 26, 2021
Antiquities
Jun 23, 2021
Nov 11, 2014
Books, Supplies & Services
Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |The Twelve Caesars| ▸ |Nero||View Options:   | | | Nero became emperor after his stepfather, the emperor Claudius, died (Claudius was probably poisoned by Nero's mother Agrippina II). At first, Nero ruled well, guided by his mentors Seneca and Burrus, but soon his reign degenerated into the debauchery and murder for which he is infamous. He had his mother, Burrus, Britannicus, and numerous senators and members of the nobility murdered or executed. Legend says he kicked Poppaea, his pregnant wife, to death. He was the first emperor to persecute Christians, blaming them for the Great Fire in 64 A.D. Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. after generals in Africa, Gaul, and Spain all rebelled, and the Praetorian Guard in Rome deserted him. |
One explanation for Nero's slight beard on this coin is that it is his "beard of mourning" for the death of his wife Poppaea. According to Suetonius, one day in the summer of 65, Poppaea quarreled fiercely with Nero over his spending too much time at the races. She was pregnant with her second child. In a fit of rage, Nero kicked her in the abdomen, killing her. The story of her death may have been a lie, part of a larger effort to denigrate Nero after his suicide. Certainly Poppaea was deeply mourned by Nero. During the mourning period, Nero may have followed Roman customs and not shaved his face. A similar light beard also occurs on some tetradrachms of Antioch dated 65 - 66 A.D.RB112056. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I 138, BMCRE I 129, Mac Dowall WCN 128, Cohen I 18, BnF II -, Hunter I -, SRCV -, aVF/F, brown tone, corrosion, a few pits, weight 27.266 g, maximum diameter 33.5 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 65 A.D.; obverse NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestate Imperator Pater Patriae), laureate head left, short beard visible, no globe at point of bust; reverse ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES, Annona standing right, right hand on hip, cornucopia in left hand, facing Ceres enthroned left, veiled, feet on footstool, stalks of grain in right hand, torch in left hand; in center modius on garlanded altar, prow behind, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Acmoneia, Phrygia
Acmoneia was located on a small tributary of the river Sindros, about six miles west of Diocleia. Struck by magistrate L. Servinius Capito, third issue. There was a local cult of AsklepiosRP111812. Bronze AE 19, SNGvA 3373 (same c/m); RPC Online I 3176.25 (same); BMC Phrygia 43; SNG Cop 29; c/m: Howgego 241 (12 pcs), aF, green patina, scratches, burnished, porous, weight 4.573 g, maximum diameter 19.4 mm, die axis 0o, Akmonia (Ahat Koyu, Turkey) mint, c. 65 A.D.; obverse NEPWNA CEBACTON AKMONEIC, laureate head right with aegis, crescent above, winged caduceus below; countermark: Asklepios standing, holding serpent-encircled staff, in rectangular punch, 4.5 x 9 mm; reverse CEPOYHNIOY KAΠITWNOC KAI IOYΛIAC CEOYHPAC, Zeus enthroned left, phiale extended in right, resting left on long scepter vertical, owl under throne, EΠI APX TO Γ right;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Ake Ptolemais, Galilee
Ptolemais was a maritime city of Galilee (Acts 21:7). It was originally Accho, but was renamed Ptolemais under the rule of Ptolemy Soter. The ceremonial founding of a new Roman colony included plowing a furrow, the pomerium, a sacred boundary, around the site of the new city.RP111779. Bronze AE 24, RPC I 4750 (20 spec.); SNG Cop 181; Kadman, Akko 92; Rosenberger 9; Sofaer 131; Seyrig 31, Rouvier 996; Baramki AUB 12, F, porous, weight 12.529 g, maximum diameter 23.5 mm, die axis 0o, Galilee, Ake Ptolemais (Acre, Israel) mint, c. 66 - 68 A.D.; obverse IMP NER CL CAES AVG GER P M TR POT, laureate head right, star-in-crescent to right; reverse DIVOS CLAVD STAB GER FELIX P, Nero plowing right with oxen, marking the pomerium (sacred boundary marking the foundation of a new Roman colony), four vexilla inscribed III, VI, X, and XII on far side (in background), C-OL - CL-A across field divided by vexilla shafts; ex CNG e-auction 510 (23 Feb 2022), lot 497; ex Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection; ex Coin Galleries mail bid sale (14 Apr 1999), lot 283; scarce;
Judaea, Porcius Festus, Roman Procurator under Nero, 59 - 62 A.D.
"Now when Festus had come into his province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they urged him, asking as a favor to have the man sent to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly...But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on these charges before me?" But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried; to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death; but if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar." Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go." - Acts 25:1-4,9-12JD111761. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6380g; Meshorer TJC 345i-345l; RPC I 4972; Sofaer, pl. 220, 66; BMC Palestine p. 266, 1, VF, green patina, earthen deposits, edge splits, weight 1.873 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 59 A.D.; obverse NEP/WNO/C (Nero, both N's retrograde) in wreath tied at the bottom with an X; reverse KAICAPO (Caesar) and date LE (year 5), palm frond; ex CNG e-auction 510 (23 Feb 2022), lot 543; ex Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection ;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
Ptolemy Soter wanted to integrate the Hellenistic and Egyptian religions by finding a deity that could win the reverence of both groups. The Greeks would not accept an animal-headed figure, so a Greek-style anthromorphic statue was chosen as the idol, and proclaimed as the equivalent of the highly popular Apis. It was named Aser-hapi (i.e. Osiris-Apis), which became Serapis, and was said to be Osiris in full, rather than just his Ka (life force). Ptolemy's efforts were successful - in time Serapis was held by the Egyptians in the highest reverence above all other deities, and he was adored in Athens and other Greek cities. RX111457. Billon tetradrachm, RPC Online I 5274; Dattari 251; Milne 222; BMC Alexandria p. 19, 156; Geissen 160; Kampmann 14.77; Emmett 133.10, VF, well centered on a tight flan, porous, weight 12.133 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 29 Aug 63 - 28 Aug 64 A.D.; obverse NEPΩ KΛAY KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP, radiate head right; reverse AYTOKPA, draped bust of Serapis right, wearing taenia and polos ornamented with lotus, LI (year 10) lower right; from the CEB Collection;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Caesarea Maritima, Judaea
Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa and about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem, was founded by Herod the Great and named for Caesar Augustus. It was the seat of the Roman procurators and the Roman military headquarters in Judaea. The Pilate Stone, discovered here in 1961, is only archaeological find that names Pontius Pilate, by whose order Jesus was crucified. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., Caesarea was the provincial capital of the Judaea Province. Well into Byzantine times, Caesarea remained the capital. In the 630s, Arab Muslim armies took the region, but kept Caesarea as its administrative center until early 8th century. Caesarea's ruins are a national park on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, about halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa.RP111376. Bronze AE 22, Kadman Caesarea Maritima 4 (same dies); RPC Online I 4862; Sofaer 7 ff.; Rosenberger 5 ff.; SNG ANS 753 ff.; Baramki 2 ff., aVF, dark patina, highlighting buff earthen deposits, scratches, weight 9.780 g, maximum diameter 21.7 mm, die axis 0o, Caesarea Maritima (Keisaria, Israel) mint, 68 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN ΣEBAΣTOΣ KAICAP (from upper right), laureate head right; reverse KAIΣAPIA H ΠPOΣ ΣEBAΣTΩ ΛIME (from upper right), Tyche standing left, right foot resting on prow, bust in extended right hand, standard vertical behind in left hand, L IΔ in lower left field;
Judaea, Porcius Festus, Roman Procurator under Nero, 59 - 62 A.D.
"Now when Festus had come into his province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they urged him, asking as a favor to have the man sent to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly...But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on these charges before me?" But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried; to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death; but if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar." Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go." - Acts 25:1-4,9-12JD111332. Bronze prutah, Hendin 6380; Meshorer TJC 345; RPC I 4972; Sofaer, pl. 220, 66; BMC Palestine p. 266, 1, aF, near centered, highlighting earthen deposits, scratches, rev. edge beveled, weight 2.374 g, maximum diameter 16.7 mm, die axis 0o, Jerusalem mint, 59 A.D.; obverse NEP/WNO/C (Nero) in wreath tied at the bottom with an X; reverse KAICAPO (Caesar) and date LE (year 5), palm frond;
The shield held by Victory is the golden shield that was dedicated to Augustus by the Senate and Roman People (S. P. Q. R.) in recognition of his classic, cardinal virtues. By placing the shield and Victory on his coin, Nero was claiming these same virtues were part of his regime. -- Roman History from Coins by Michael GrantRB110692. Copper as, RIC I 543, BMCRE I 381, BnF II 160, Mac Dowall WCN 593, Hunter I 131, Cohen I 302, SRCV I -, F, near centered, porous, weight 9.404 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, c. 66 A.D.; obverse IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck; reverse Victory flying left, shield inscribed S P Q R in right hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking high across field;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Caesarea Maritima, Judaea
Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa and about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem, was founded by Herod the Great and named for Caesar Augustus. It was the seat of the Roman procurators and the Roman military headquarters in Judaea. The Pilate Stone, discovered here in 1961, is only archaeological find that names Pontius Pilate, by whose order Jesus was crucified. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., Caesarea was the provincial capital of the Judaea Province. Well into Byzantine times, Caesarea remained the capital. In the 630s, Arab Muslim armies took the region, but kept Caesarea as its administrative center until early 8th century. Caesarea's ruins are a national park on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, about halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa.RP110719. Bronze AE 23, Kadman Caesarea Maritima 4; RPC Online I 4862; Sofaer 7 ff.; Rosenberger 5 ff.; SNG ANS 753 ff.; Baramki 2 ff., aF, corrosion, weight 10.253 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, Caesarea Maritima (Keisaria, Israel) mint, 68 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN ΣEBAΣTOΣ KAIΣAP (from upper right), laureate head right; reverse KAIΣAPIA H ΠPOΣ ΣEBAΣTΩ ΛIME (from upper right), Tyche standing left, right foot resting on prow, bust in extended right hand, standard vertical behind in left hand, L IΔ in lower left field;
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Caesarea Maritima, Judaea
Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa and about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem, was founded by Herod the Great and named for Caesar Augustus. It was the seat of the Roman procurators and the Roman military headquarters in Judaea. The Pilate Stone, discovered here in 1961, is only archaeological find that names Pontius Pilate, by whose order Jesus was crucified. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., Caesarea was the provincial capital of the Judaea Province. Well into Byzantine times, Caesarea remained the capital. In the 630s, Arab Muslim armies took the region, but kept Caesarea as its administrative center until early 8th century. Caesarea's ruins are a national park on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, about halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa.RP110762. Bronze AE 25, Kadman Caesarea Maritima 4 (same dies); RPC Online I 4862; Sofaer 7 ff.; Rosenberger 5 ff.; SNG ANS 753 ff.; Baramki 2 ff., F, nice glossy green patina, porosity, light earthen deposits, obv. off center, rev. legend mostly off flan, weight 14.258 g, maximum diameter 24.8 mm, die axis 45o, Caesarea Maritima (Keisaria, Israel) mint, 68 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN ΣEBAΣTOΣ KAICAP (from upper right), laureate head right; reverse KAIΣAPIA H ΠPOΣ ΣEBAΣTΩ ΛIME (from upper right), Tyche standing left, right foot resting on prow, bust in extended right hand, standard vertical behind in left hand, L IΔ in lower left field;
OBVERSE| LEGENDS|
REFERENCES|
Page created in 2.328 seconds.
