Nomos AG
Auction 25 20 Nov 2022
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Nero, 54-68. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.64 g, 5 h), Rome, c. 64-65. IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P P Laureate head of Nero to right. Rev. Legionary eagle with wings displayed between two standards. BMC 107. BN 238. Cohen 356. RIC 68. WCN 69. Superb metal quality and sharply struck, with lovely toning and a magnificent portrait of Nero. Struck just a tiny bit off center, otherwise, good extremely fine.
Ex UBS 9-10 September 2008, 1505.
It must be emphasised that the portraits that appeared on Roman coinage, especially those issued from the mint of Rome, had to be approved by the reigning emperor. So what to the brutally veristic portraits of Nero that appeared during the last few years of his reign tell us about him? Was he proud of how he looked; did he think it projected a kind of brute power; or did he think the change from the generally idealised Julio-Claudian look of his predecessors would make him look more human and approachable to his subjects? In any case, no later emperor ever emulated him.
Ex UBS 9-10 September 2008, 1505.
It must be emphasised that the portraits that appeared on Roman coinage, especially those issued from the mint of Rome, had to be approved by the reigning emperor. So what to the brutally veristic portraits of Nero that appeared during the last few years of his reign tell us about him? Was he proud of how he looked; did he think it projected a kind of brute power; or did he think the change from the generally idealised Julio-Claudian look of his predecessors would make him look more human and approachable to his subjects? In any case, no later emperor ever emulated him.