Rare and beautiful sestertius of Nero, which was minted in Rome in 64 and in Lyon between 65 and 67. The triumphal arch (Arcus Neronis) shown on the reverse was given to Nero by the Senate after Corbulo's victories in the East against the Parthians in 58 AD. It was built on the Capitoline Hill between AD 58 and AD 62, but its location is not specified, possibly near the Veiovis Temple. It was destroyed after Nero's death.
On Coinarchives, we found only 18 listings for this variety. The sales record was set in 2011, and a sesterce of this type, in perfect condition, was sold for EUR 6,250.
Roman Imperial
Nero (54-68), Sestertius 64 AD, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head left
NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P
Reverse: triumphal arch, showing the front, with a wreath hung across it, surmounted by emperor in facing quadriga accompanied by Pax and Victory, flanked by two soldiers, statue of Mars in side niche, the faces and plinths of the arch are ornamented with elaborate reliefs, S-C on fields
Weight 26,63 g.
Nero is certainly one of the most famous emperors, thanks to Tacitus and Suetonius, but also one of the most despised. He is the last representative of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. After the murder of Claudius by Agrippina with locusts in 54 AD, at the age of 17, he began his reign under good auspices. With the help of Seneca, his teacher, and Burrus, the Praetorian prefect, he intelligently ruled the Senate. Ultimately, however, he turned out to be a tyrant, and the last nine years of reign destabilized the Empire.
