Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Nero augustus, 54 – 68

Sestertius circa 66, Æ 29.80g. IMP NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P P P Laureate head l. Rev. S – C Roma seated l. on cuirass, holding Victory and parazonium; behind her, two shields. In exergue, ROMA. C 271. BMC –. RIC 330. CBN 417.
A bold portrait and a finely engraved reverse die. Dark brown tone
gently smoothed, otherwise extremely fine

Privately purchased from Tom Cederlind.

The image of Roma on this series of sestertii is one of the most variably engraved designs of the early Roman Empire. The incredibly common reverse type must have been used as the training ground for apprentice engravers learning their art. With great regularity these issues can be found with one, or more, body parts engraved completely out of proportion to the rest of the figure. Here the proportions of Roma are excellently rendered and complete detail remains. MSG.