Nero. A.D. 54-68. Æ sestertius. 24.56 gm. 33 mm. Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa A.D. 66. His laureate head right, globe at point of bust; IMP NERO CAESAR AVG PONT MAX TR POT PP / Annona on left standing right, her hand on her hip and holding cornucopia, facing Ceres seated draped and veiled on right, facing left, her feet on a stool, holding corn ears and torch; modius on garlanded altar between them, stern of ship in background; ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES S C. RIC I 494 (Rare). Near Extremely Fine; beautiful dark green patina with pale olive and red-brown earthen highlights; slight roughness on reverse. Superb portrait of Nero. Rare.

Ex Davissons Auction 25 (1 February 2007) lot 41 (PR $3500).

Ceres was the Roman goddess of agriculture, and Annona, whose appearance on coins begins with Nero's reign, signifies the year's harvest. Rome was dependent on shipping for its food supplies, and this marvelous reverse depicts an important and fundamental aspect of Roman life at that time.