Here is a sestertius of Nero depicting a triumphal arch on reverse to commemorate military campaigns in the east. I believe this coin was struck at Lugdunum rather than Rome. It has very nice detail, even if slightly corroded as you can see. Still, much of the freeze detail on the arch is visible. Here is what CNG has to say about this monument, which is known only from coins: "This monumental triumphal arch was erected by Nero to commemorate Roman military campaigns against the Parthians in Mesopotamia and Armenia. Although not particularly successful in a military sense, with Paetus losing almost his entire army at Randeia in Armenia, the war did end with a peace treaty favorable to Rome that was upheld for nearly fifty years. This coin type is vitally important for architectural historians, for the arch was dismantled after Nero's ignominious end in 68 AD, and is only known through its depiction on the coins".
Wow thats a beauty. The slight corrosion doesnt detract from this at all, to me anyways. Its that kind of bronze I would gladly collect, if my wallet allowed it, lol.
Man what a fantastic specimen. It kind of makes me sad of two similar items I had a chance to buy but for some reason I didn't. The first was a Nero, port of Ostia. The second was a depiction of the great lighthouse of Alexandria. Pieces like that do not come up often, and from my own experience its best to buy them if you ever have a chance. Great piece Eduard, and thank you very much for sharing it with us. Chris
Mat, Chris, Randy, thank you all for your comments. I am a fan of interesting reverse, specially architectural types. This one is quite nice. Chris, I've never had a chance to buy a Post of Ostia sestertius - that is truly an interesting coin. All the ones that crossed my path were much too rich for my blood. If I had the opportunity (meaning if my wife allows it), what I would dearly love to obtain would be a Galba Adlocutio sestertius. I have only ever seen 2 of those.
I never said the Ostia was anywhere near the quality of your coin sir. That would be well into 5 figures, maybe six. The example I almost pulled the trigger on was more F with a couple of problems. It was just the historical value of the coin, as well as how famous it is, almost led me to buy it even though that is not my specialty. I don't really collect these coins, but sometimes the story of a coin, such as yours, simply attracts a collector regardless. What got me started in Byzantines was the Anonymous bronzes, and the fact that almost all of the artwork portrayed on them are now lost to history and these coins are our only view of these very famous paintings in the Byzantine world. Because of that I bought the entire series. If I run across another Lighthouse portrayal in my price range I may have to buy it on principal. Chris
I found one of these in pretty bad shape, but affordable at $40. Here are pics: This coin is also mentioned in the horror novel 666 by Jay Anson (author of The Amityville Horror). In that book, a worn, corroded sestertius of this type gives horrifying visions of torture when held.
This one is definitely Lugdunum: Same dies as Gemini Auction IX (08.01.2012) lot 267; and CNG 64, (24.11.2003) lot 988. Both auction houses list it as an obverse legend variant with only one final P, but it seems clear to me (on all three examples) that the final P is there, it's just crowded.
