Watch List notes:

Nero (54-68), Sestertius, Rome, c. AD 64; AE (g 23,24; mm 34; 5); NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust r., wearingaegis, Rv. AVGVSTI / S POR OST C, bird’s-eye view of the harbour of Ostia. At the top, pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune l., holding sceptre; at the bottom, reclining figure of Tiber l., holding rudder and dolphin; to l., crescent-shapedpier with portico of varying length, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to r., crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slip, terminating with figure seated on rock; within the central harbour, several ships. RIC 178; C 37.
Rare, bolt portrait, green patina, extremely fine.

The sestertius commemorates the end of construction of the first harbour of Rome situated to about 4 km north of Ostia. The building was begun by Claudius in 42 and finished by Nero in 64-66 AD. The entrance to the basin was blocked by a large breakwater , the end of which was erected a lighthouse, modeled on that of Alexandria and surmounted by a statue of Neptune. The extremely sandy basin did not allow the easy construction of foundations. In fact, for the foundations of the lighthouse was used the big cargo ship on which previously Caligula carried the Egyptian obelisk then placed in the Circus of Caligula and Nero in the horti of Agrippina Major.