Emperors of Rome. Nero. 54-68 AD. 64-65 AD. AV-Aureus 7.29 g. Rome Mint.
Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Nero to right.
Reverse: ROMA Roma seated on cuirass to left, holding Victory in her right hand and parazonium in her left; behind, greaves and shields
References: Biaggi 238 (this coin). BMC 81. BN 223. Calicó 439 (this coin). C. 257. Hurter 6 (this coin). Morgan 65 (this coin). RIC 54.
Provenance: Ex collection of an attorney, Kunker 341, October 1-2, 2020, lot 5797; Götz Grabert Collection; LHS 97, May 10, 2006, lot 7, ("European Scholar"); Leu Numismatik 83, May 6-7, 2002, lot 727; Bank Leu 25, April 23, 1980, lot 252; from the Leo Biaggi De Blasys Collection, 238; J.P. Morgan Collection (as consigned by Wayte Raymond), Hans Schulman, April 26-28, 1951, lot 3048; previously purchased en bloc by Wayte Raymond from the Morgan Library; Prof. Carlo Stiavelli Collection, P. & P. Santamaria, April 4-5, 1908, lot 400. From the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.
Description: The obverse of this piece showcases an imposing portrait of a middle-aged Nero. By this time, Nero’s excesses had taken their toll, and Nero succumbed to the obesity that dominates his later portraiture. The reverse shows the personification of Rome, holding Victory in one hand and the Parazonium in the other, seated atop cuirass, greaves and shield. The splendid toning is typical of the Boscoreale hoard, coins which were discovered in 1895 on what was once the land of an important wine merchant. The coins of the Boscoreale hoard share a deep reddish toning that is the result of the aftereffects of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., and the resultant sulfuric soil. This piece contrasts well with the aureus of Vespasian which is also likely from the Boscoreale hoard. However, whereas this piece demonstrates the Roman exultation of the personification of their City, Vespasian's glorifies the subjugation of the personification of another locale (Judaea). In many ways, these two pieces are “sides of the same coin,” with one demonstrating Romans’ love of their City, and the other demonstrating Rome’s greatest achievement, the subjugation of lesser nations. It is fitting these two linked pieces likely remained buried side by side for 1900 years.
Nero has traditionally not been portrayed favorably by historians (or indeed, by contemporary commentators). During the early years of his reign, after taking the throne at the tender age of sixteen, Nero was largely guided by his mother Agrippina, his tutor, Seneca and his Praetorian Prefect Burrus. However, as Nero grew into manhood, he began to take a more active interest in his rule and began to distance himself from his mother (who he eventually had executed). Burrus would die a few years later, and Seneca would be forced to retire before eventually being persuaded to commit suicide. While these three had been able stewards of the Empire, Nero was prone to gluttony, excess and laziness. Nero's primary pursuits were general debauchery and the composition of poetry (for which Nero awarded himself an Olympic gold medal). Nero's late rule was marked by disaster (notably the great fire), and stagnation. Ultimately, Nero was faced with rebellion, and finally declared a public enemy by the Senate. Unable to bring himself to commit suicide, Nero forced his personal secretary to take his life, beginning the year of teh four emperors.
Reverse: ROMA Roma seated on cuirass to left, holding Victory in her right hand and parazonium in her left; behind, greaves and shields
References: Biaggi 238 (this coin). BMC 81. BN 223. Calicó 439 (this coin). C. 257. Hurter 6 (this coin). Morgan 65 (this coin). RIC 54.
Provenance: Ex collection of an attorney, Kunker 341, October 1-2, 2020, lot 5797; Götz Grabert Collection; LHS 97, May 10, 2006, lot 7, ("European Scholar"); Leu Numismatik 83, May 6-7, 2002, lot 727; Bank Leu 25, April 23, 1980, lot 252; from the Leo Biaggi De Blasys Collection, 238; J.P. Morgan Collection (as consigned by Wayte Raymond), Hans Schulman, April 26-28, 1951, lot 3048; previously purchased en bloc by Wayte Raymond from the Morgan Library; Prof. Carlo Stiavelli Collection, P. & P. Santamaria, April 4-5, 1908, lot 400. From the Boscoreale Hoard of 1895.
Description: The obverse of this piece showcases an imposing portrait of a middle-aged Nero. By this time, Nero’s excesses had taken their toll, and Nero succumbed to the obesity that dominates his later portraiture. The reverse shows the personification of Rome, holding Victory in one hand and the Parazonium in the other, seated atop cuirass, greaves and shield. The splendid toning is typical of the Boscoreale hoard, coins which were discovered in 1895 on what was once the land of an important wine merchant. The coins of the Boscoreale hoard share a deep reddish toning that is the result of the aftereffects of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., and the resultant sulfuric soil. This piece contrasts well with the aureus of Vespasian which is also likely from the Boscoreale hoard. However, whereas this piece demonstrates the Roman exultation of the personification of their City, Vespasian's glorifies the subjugation of the personification of another locale (Judaea). In many ways, these two pieces are “sides of the same coin,” with one demonstrating Romans’ love of their City, and the other demonstrating Rome’s greatest achievement, the subjugation of lesser nations. It is fitting these two linked pieces likely remained buried side by side for 1900 years.
Nero has traditionally not been portrayed favorably by historians (or indeed, by contemporary commentators). During the early years of his reign, after taking the throne at the tender age of sixteen, Nero was largely guided by his mother Agrippina, his tutor, Seneca and his Praetorian Prefect Burrus. However, as Nero grew into manhood, he began to take a more active interest in his rule and began to distance himself from his mother (who he eventually had executed). Burrus would die a few years later, and Seneca would be forced to retire before eventually being persuaded to commit suicide. While these three had been able stewards of the Empire, Nero was prone to gluttony, excess and laziness. Nero's primary pursuits were general debauchery and the composition of poetry (for which Nero awarded himself an Olympic gold medal). Nero's late rule was marked by disaster (notably the great fire), and stagnation. Ultimately, Nero was faced with rebellion, and finally declared a public enemy by the Senate. Unable to bring himself to commit suicide, Nero forced his personal secretary to take his life, beginning the year of teh four emperors.