Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 496 21 Jul 2021
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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Dupondius (28.5mm, 12.43 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 66. Radiate head left / Temple of Janus with latticed windows to left and garland hung across closed double doors to right. RIC I 340; WCN 235. Dark green-brown patina, some deposits and minor roughness on reverse. VF.
The Temple of Janus was one of Rome's most ancient centers of worship. It was said that Romulus had built it after he made peace with the Sabines, and that it was king Numa who decreed that its doors should be opened during times of war and shut during times of peace. In all of Roman history until the reign of Nero, the temple doors had been shut perhaps five or six times – once under king Numa, once at the end of the Second Punic War, three times under Augustus, and, according to Ovid, once under Tiberius.
With the close of the Parthian War in AD 63, it was decreed that the doors should again be closed. Nero marked the event with great celebrations and trumpeted his policy of peace by issuing a large and impressive series of coins depicting the temple.
The Temple of Janus was one of Rome's most ancient centers of worship. It was said that Romulus had built it after he made peace with the Sabines, and that it was king Numa who decreed that its doors should be opened during times of war and shut during times of peace. In all of Roman history until the reign of Nero, the temple doors had been shut perhaps five or six times – once under king Numa, once at the end of the Second Punic War, three times under Augustus, and, according to Ovid, once under Tiberius.
With the close of the Parthian War in AD 63, it was decreed that the doors should again be closed. Nero marked the event with great celebrations and trumpeted his policy of peace by issuing a large and impressive series of coins depicting the temple.