Why revolt against Nero, last of the Julio/ Claudian line? And what was the straw that broke the legions back? Was it fiddling while Rome burned? He may have done it. But just having the bad press and some believing it, even if he didn't, couldn't have helped. Could it have been soccer kicking his preggers wifey, killing her and his unborn child? Again, he may or may not have done it. Either way, makes it pretty easy to despise the guy. Or maybe having his own mother killed?! (Devito would've played a pretty hilarious Nero!) Which by all accounts DID happen. Those Roman's might've treated their women poorly. But when it came to moms. They sure revered them. Some of the bigger mommas boys of ancient history. But what may have been the final straw, which ironically Hadrian had no problems nor bad press with, was his incessant love of all things odd those effeminate Greeks! Whatever the cause, in 68 & 69 CE the legions began to revolt starting in Gaul, under Vindex in support of Galba. Though the rebel forces we're easily squashed by Nero's general Verginius at the battle of Vesontio. Ironically, Verginius own men then tried to elevate him to the purple. Which he denied in order to show his continued allegiance to Nero (or his realization that it would probably mean a quick end if he did). It appears Nero tried to mount a poorly planned counter. However, when the praetorian guard aligned with Galba Nero fled and ultimately committed suicide, leading to the year of the four emperors. Bringing us to my latest Roman win from Frank Robinson's auction (showed up in the mail yesterday!). Though beat up and a fouree, I can't stop looking at her and seeing not only the symbol of anarchy and the MASSIVE power vacuum that the little rebellion created (only ending when the good old boy emperor Vespasian would rise to power), but I also see some remnants of beauty on this very rare coin that the celator must've intended when creating the her. Ugly? Sure. But this lady has character Bless the little surprises that come from Frank's auctions. Frank's pic followed by mine: CIVIL WAR, 68-69 CE, Den, fouree, Mint in Southern Gaul. VESTA PR QVIRITVM, veiled and draped bust of Vesta; torch to right, r/IO MAX CAPITOLINVS, Jupiter std in Distyle temple, with wreath in pediment and containing Jupiter seated left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; RIC 128; Frank Robinson’s notes “F or so BUT much patchy core exposure, somewhat off-ctr, lgnds crude & partly off; bust clear; but pretty ugly. Or, as a certain deity would say, "A beautiful coin, folks, believe me, a beautiful coin, I can tell you that." But Very rare. Ex: Frank Robinson Here's another countermarked coin from the rebellion: PR=Populus Romanus - The Roman People. AE 24.2 MM, 6.5 gr. This countermark was used by the rebels in Gaul under the leadership of Julius Vindex during the months of March through June of 68 CE. Used mostly upon dupondii and Asses. Coin appears intentionally slate as these were known to deface and denounce the current powers that be. Ex: CNG Please share your thoughts, coins of Nero, the rebels, the fouree emperors
@Ryro , She isn't nearly as bad as Frank's pictures. I have found that his tend to be a bit washed out. Your images show quite a bit of detail. Is she perfectly silvered still? Nope, but you know what. She is still a looker!
Thanks! It is such a unique auction experience that Frank provides. And never anything but an excellent experience Yeah, that green coloring is very prevalent. But doesn't appear to be BD. I'm debating on putting some verdi care on the coin. Not cleaning it or anything. Just VC and letting it dry. The greenish adds a cool visual aesthetic. Thoughts? And don't think I didn't see the irony in posting about a man that murders his mom, on mother's day. I just came from my parents house. And mom said that seeing the three little guys was the best present she could get on mother's day. (Clears throat, "I'm here too mom
NERO Type: Billon Tetradrachm, 25mm 12.73 grams Obverse: NERW KLAY KAIS SEB GER, Radiate crowned head facing right. Reverse: AVTO-KRA, Draped bust of Egyptian god Serapis facing right, wearing Kalathos (basket) on head, date LI (year 10) Reference: Milne 222, Koln 160, RPC 5274, BMCGr 156: Sear 2001.
Excellent score! I really hope to get myself a Vindex one of these days. And thanks for showing that Alphonse Mucha painting of Rome burning... very cool. In recognition of Mother's Day, one of the saddest coins of them all, Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia... DIVA POPPAEA with DIVA CLAUDIA AE20. 5.31g, 20.1mm. JUDAEA, Caesarea Panias, circa AD 65-68. RPC 4846; Meshorer 354; Hendin 1270. O: DIVA POPPAEA AVG, Distyle temple set upon high podium, containing statue of Diva Poppaea seated left. R: DIVA CLAVD NER F, Hexastyle temple set upon high podium, containing statue of Diva Claudia left on basis. Ex Garth Drewry Collection (CNG E-sale 137, 2006, lot 123); ex C.O.I.N. Auction (Superior, 15-19 June 1976), lot 315; ex Charles Ruby Collection, pt. 2 (Superior, 17-22 June 1974), lot 571
@Ryro , I would snap both up in a HEARTBEAT! The countermarks are VERY cool. And a fouree? That is cool! GAIVS IVLIVS VINDEX: Roman Civil War Vindex AR Denarius, 3.22g, 19mm Uncertain mint in Gaul, AD 68. Struck between early March 68 (when he revolted) and May 68 (when he was killed) Obv: SALVS GENERIS HVMANI, Victory standing to left on globe, holding palm branch and wreath Rev: SPQR within corona civica with circular jewel in bezel at apex. Ref: Nicolas 77; RIC 72; BMC 34. BMCRE 34-36 RSC 420 Ex: @Valentinian Comments: In CE 68 Vindex in Gaul, revolted against Nero, but had no legions. He asked Galba, in Spain, to help and Vindex quickly raised an army. However, the commander on the Rhine - Germania Superior (Lucius Verginius Rufus) attacked and defeated Vindex, leaving Galba to contest for the empire. Roman Civil War Vindex CE 68-69 AR Denarius 17mm 3.02g ROMA RESTITVTA - IVPITER LIBERATOR Jupiter seated r Tbolt Scepter RIC I 62 RSC 374- RARE Other Notes: Unusual and distinctive coin due to the lack of a portrait or the titles of a living emperor, this Civil War issue of Vindex defines his revolt clearly; while the obverse proclaims that the uprising is to be the salvation of the people, the reverse hints that Rome will be set free and the days of Augustus restored to the city. Although Vindex was defeated, he served to swell popularity for Galba and, sensing this, Nero fled Rome. Shortly after, the Senate decided to oust Nero by declaring him a public enemy, thus spurring his suicide. Consequently, between June 68 AD and December 69 AD, Rome witnessed a period of anarchy and a series of quick successions. Four Emperors ruled in this period: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian, with the latter securing the imperial throne and founding the Flavian dynasty.
I’m loving these coins! I have been hooked on the “Emperors of Rome” podcast after being recommended here on another thread like last week. Today I made it to the year of 4 emperors. This thread is perfect
and, a couple QUINARII in this bunch for @kevin McGonigal ... NERO RI Nero AR Tetradrachm 54-68 CE Eagle GALBA RI GALBA 68-69 BCE AR Quinarius Lugdunum mint laureate r Victory globe stdng left 15mm 1.5g RIC 131 scarce OTHO RI Otho 69 CE BI AR Tetradrachm 23mm Egypt Helmeted Roma Emmet 186 VITELLIUS RI Vitellius 69 CE AR Denarius Pont Max Vesta Seated VESPASIAN RI Vespasian 69-79 CE AR Quinarius Victory seated wreath palm RIC 802 Rare
It was that beautiful little window washer that made me aware of these types of coins! And good reminder! Better post the other players in this drama: Nero and the aforementioned ol, kick ball and chain Old fart Galba Baldtho The man who ate his way out if the purple Good ol Vespy
I have a Galba, but it's a provincial coin, a tetradrachm from Alexandria: This type from Alexandria tends to feature a portrait with a very prominent chin, unlike Galba's other portraits. Maybe the artist didn't have an official portrait and had to guess?
Don't forget poor ol' Claudia Octavia who had the misfortune to marry Nero in AD 53. He tried to strangle her several times. Nero and Claudia Octavia Roman provincial billon tetradrachm, 11.1 g, 25.0 mm Egypt, Alexandria, AD 56-57 Obv: ΝΕΡ ΚΛΑΥ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑΥΤΟ, laureate head of Nero, right Rev: ΟΚΤΑΟΥΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, bare-headed and draped bust of Octavia, right; L Γ before. Refs: RPC 5202; BMC 119; SGI 657; Cologne 122; Milne 133; Emmett 127 Nero and Claudia Octavia Roman provincial Æ 24.6 mm, 8.60 g Crete, Cnossus, AD 54-62 Obv: NERO CLAV CAES AVG IMP LVPINO VOLVMINIO II, bare head of Nero right, scepter over left shoulder Rev: NERO CLAV CAES AVG IMP ET OCTAVIA AVGVSTI, bare head of Nero, left, star above, facing draped bust of Octavia, right, crescent above Refs: SGI 655; RPC 1005-6; Svoronos 95, 217 var; Cohen 313, 1-2.
CLAVDIA OCTAVIA RImp Claudia Octavia Augusta AE 27 7.6g 54-62 CE m Nero Thrace Perinthus Hera Samos RPC 1755 POPPEA RI Poppea-Nero BI tetradrachm of Alexandria LI yr10 63-64 CE Milne 217 RPC 5275
I have only one coin of Nero, and it's also a fourree! Ticks both of your boxes: ROMAN IMPERIAL, Nero. Denomination: Fourree AR denarius, minted: Rome, Italy; 64-65 AD Obv: NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS: Head of Nero, laureate, right, with beard Rev: IVPPITER CVSTOS: Jupiter, bare to waist, cloak round lower limbs, seated, left on throne, holding thunderbolt in right hand and long sceptre in left Weight: 2.35g; Ø:18mm. Catalogue: RIC I 53. Provenance: Ex priv col; acq.: 12-2018
Wonderful fouree! Really lovely portrait with some excellent hair!!! #beefcakeNero And it is not just a little funny how much Nero looks like Johnny Bravo right there: