Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Nero augustus, 54 – 68

Sestertius 63, Æ 28.54 g. NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head r., with aegis. Rev. S – C Nero standing l. on low platform with praetorian prefect at his side, raising r. hand in address to three soldiers, of whom the two in front carry standards; in the background, the praetorian camp (?). In exergue, ADLOCVT COH. C 8. BMC –.WCN 70. RIC 96. CBN 254.
Very rare and in unusually good condition for the issue. An attractive portrait
struck in high relief on a full flan and a pleasant green patina,
about extremely fine / good very fine


Ex NAC 18, 2000, 449 and NAC 51, 2009, 194 sales.

Along with the Port of Ostia type, this is the toughest of the Nero sestertii issues. It's nicely centered and very clean for the grade. Tough to find better. MSG.

This lovely sestertius of the Nero shows the emperor addressing (adlocutio) his Praetorian Guardsmen. In the background can be seen traces of a camp, in this case likely representing the Castra Praetoria, which was located just beyond the Roman boundary line to the east of the Quirinal and Viminal Hills. The specific event that is commemorated by this reverse is not known; however, Caligula also issued sestertii with this same reverse, which he used to pay the promised donatives to the Praetorian Guard, so it is logical to assume that the scene here commemorates Nero doing the same. Nero, of course, was careful to cultivate good relations with the Praetorian Guard as he owed his power principally to two of his prefects, Burrus and then Tigellinus. Additionally, the praetorians had already elevated one emperor to the throne, and perhaps Nero realized that they could just as easily remove an emperor, as indeed they were to prove on future occasions.