Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 531 25-26 Jan 2023
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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 24.73 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. NE[RO CLAV]D CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head left, globe at point of neck / PORT AVG below, Port of Ostia: seven ships within the harbor; at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune; below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips, terminating with a figure seated on rock. RIC I 441; WCN 427; Lyon 118. Rough green and brown surfaces. Good Fine. Rare.
From the Dr. Michael Slavin Collection, purchased from Pegasi.
While Julius Caesar recognized the value of expanding Rome's port facilities at Ostia, it was Claudius who began actual building in AD 42. As part of the construction, one of Caligula's pleasure galleys was scuttled and filled with cement; above it was constructed a lighthouse surmounted by a statue of Neptune. Although the actual date of completion is not certain, it must have occurred shortly before this sestertius was minted. A further expansion of the facilities was required under Trajan and Hadrian. By the fourth century, however, the port's importance began to diminish as a result of silting. Soon the region became a breeding ground for malaria and was abandoned.
From the Dr. Michael Slavin Collection, purchased from Pegasi.
While Julius Caesar recognized the value of expanding Rome's port facilities at Ostia, it was Claudius who began actual building in AD 42. As part of the construction, one of Caligula's pleasure galleys was scuttled and filled with cement; above it was constructed a lighthouse surmounted by a statue of Neptune. Although the actual date of completion is not certain, it must have occurred shortly before this sestertius was minted. A further expansion of the facilities was required under Trajan and Hadrian. By the fourth century, however, the port's importance began to diminish as a result of silting. Soon the region became a breeding ground for malaria and was abandoned.