Got this Nero Tet a while ago. I am digging the coin! It is 14.63 grams and is 25 mm. A nice chunk of ancient silver IMHO. I have wanted to figure out the legend for a bit before posting. My Greek is terrible and thought it would be a good exercise. I have now got the date But am struggling to figure out a couple parts of the legend; any help would be appreciated (see below) Nero, AR tetradrachm of Antioch Mint. RPC 4189 O: NERW N KAISAR SEBASTOS, laureate bust right, wearing aegis NERW = NERO N = ? KAISAR = CAESAR SEBASTOS = ?????? Rx: ETOYS BIP.I, eagle standing right on thunderbolt, wings spread, palm to right. ETOYS = Year BIP = (2+10+100 = 112); Syria Caesarean Year = BC48/47. So, 112 years - BC48 = 64 – 1 year (for year 0) = Year 63 and 112 years - BC47 = 65 – 1 year (for year 0) = Year 64 Neros Reign: October 13, 54 AD – June 9, 68 AD So, Year 54 – Year 63 = Regnal year 9 And Year 54 – Year 64 = Regnal year 10 “. L” = Year (seems redundant to ETOYS)?
Bing, you are the man! I have been looking off and on for a month for that info. Thanks Mat! The Wildwinds example is 14.78 grams. http://wildwinds.com/coins/ric/nero/t.html
sweet => that's an awesome Nero Tet, TJC (howdy) Yup ... I love the bird coins (that's a very cool Eagle-on-thunderbolt ... man, I love those)
BTW, I love this coin. A real "linebacker" heft and chunkyness. Not fat. Just stout. Love it. Did I tell you I love this coin?
Thanks for the praise Bing! Coming from an aficionado like yourself it is appreciated!! The local jus got in two Nero coins. The denarius had less detail and cost more. This one was more hefty, had more detail, was more attractive, and the price was better than I have seen... so the choice was simple Very funny JA! LOL!