Nero Sestertius, Nero reverse
RIC I (second edition) Nero 502 · 62 AD-68 AD · Lugdunum
Obverse
Reverse
Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Obverse
IMP NERO CAESAR AVG PONT MAX TR POT P P
Head of Nero, laureate, right; small globe at point of neck
Reverse
CONG I DAT POP S C
Nero, bare-headed and togate, seated right, on platform, left; official seated right on another platform extending congiarium to citizen with small boy behind him; Minerva, head left, holding owl and spear, and Liberalitas on right, holding tessera
About This Type
This RIC I (second edition) Nero 502 is a sestertius of Nero (62 AD-68 AD), struck at the Lugdunum mint. The reverse depicts Nero, bare-headed and togate, seated right, on platform, left; official seated right on another platform extending congiarium to citizen with small boy behind him; Minerva, head left, holding owl and spear, and Liberalitas on right, holding tessera. Struck in bronze at a standard weight of 24.82g, 36mm diameter.
About the Sestertius
The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.
About the Lugdunum Mint
Lugdunum (modern Lyon, France) was the main western imperial mint from Augustus through the early second century. It was the sole mint for precious metal coinage for extended periods under Augustus and Tiberius.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC I (second edition) Nero 502?
- RIC I (second edition) Nero 502 is a Bronze Sestertius of Nero (62 AD-68 AD) struck at the Lugdunum mint cataloged under RIC vol. I no. I (second edition) Nero 502.
- How do you identify RIC I (second edition) Nero 502?
- The obverse depicts Head of Nero, laureate, right; small globe at point of neck with the inscription IMP NERO CAESAR AVG PONT MAX TR POT P P. The reverse depicts Nero, bare-headed and togate, seated right, on platform, left; official seated right on another platform extending congiarium to citizen with small boy behind him; Minerva, head left, holding owl and spear, and Liberalitas on right, holding tessera with the inscription CONG I DAT POP S C. Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC I (second edition) Nero 502?
- RIC I (second edition) Nero 502 was struck in Bronze, standard weight 24.82g, diameter 36mm, die axis 6 h, struck.
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