I was happy to add many interesting Roman Alexandrian coins to my growing subset. I bought a disproportionate number of Neros. At WFOM, his Alexandrian coins were by far the most numerous of the early emperors. He must've minted considerably more coins than did the others. Roman Alexandrians usually won't win beauty contests but I enjoy collecting them. Buying Emmett's book may be partly responsible for the urge to buy more. I'd better be careful about future book-buying. Calico's volumes on Roman aurei might lead to financial ruin Year 3; reverse is Demos of Romans. This was a nice and unexpected find at the table of a mostly US dealer. This reverse is only found on Nero's coins. The obverse is worn and weak but given the scarcity, I'm happy. Emmett 116(3), R3. Year 10; his wife Poppaea on the reverse. Emmett 128(10), R1. Just about every dealer who had some Alexandrian tetradrachms had at least one Nero/Poppaea. Speaking of Poppaea, based on various ancient texts, I'm not convinced he killed her. I suspect Nero was less horrible than we think. It does sound like he was a bit of a party boy but he was far from the worst or most twisted emperor. Year 13. Apollo reverse. Emmett 110(13), R1. Fairly common but this was the nicest out of many I found. Anyone else have some Alexandrian Neros? Please post them
I agree TIF. Many sources I have read indicate he was a very reluctant emperor, and, if you can believe Suetonius, there were several of just the Twelve Emperors who were much much worse than Nero ever thought to be. And this is only the First Century AD. These coins are fantastic TIF. I only own one poor example: NERO AR Billon Tetradrachm OBVERSE: NERW KLAV KAIS SEB GER, radiate bust right, wearing aegis REVERSE: AVTOKPA, draped bust of Alexandria right in elephant skin headdress, LIB to right, year 12 Struck at Alexandria, Egypt, 65/6AD 10.8g, 28mm Köln 172-174; Curtis 36-54, Dattari 204, SGI 633, RPC 5289.
Sweet lookin' Nero Tets, coin-sister ... wow, it sounds like you were a lil' kid in a candy-store!! (great scores, congrats!!) I don't have any Nero examples, but I do have an Alexandrian Tet to toss-into your thread (it's one of my fairly recent additions) ... EGYPT Alexandria Antoninus Pius BI Tetradrachm 138-161 AD Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2) Diameter: 23 mm Weight: 13.39 grams Obverse: Laureate head right Reverse: Poseidon standing right, foot on prow, holding trident and dolphin; date across field Reference: Dattari 2339 ... man, I can't wait to see the next installment of "kid in a candy-store" ... => please keep 'em comin'!!
Very nice choices, TIF! I'm also short of Neros, but I recently acquired this Alexandrian tet of Probus. I think I'm hooked on these coins as well - probably should get Emmett. As far as winning beauty contests goes, there are a lot Greeks that wouldn't pass muster either. These tets do have some very pleasing characteristics, however. They are thick, and feel nice in hand. They're also struck in fairly high relief, so even coins in lower grades exhibit sufficient detail to make them worth collecting, especially if you're on a tight budget. Also, sometimes they do have very eye-appealing patinas... Marcus Aurelius Probus, AD 276-282 Billon Tetradrachm, 20mm, 7.66g; Alexandria, AD 277-278. Obv.: A K M AVT ΠPOBOC CEB, Laureate, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: Dikaiosyne (Aequitas) standing left, holding scales and cornucopia, in left field, LB (Year 2). Reference: Milne 4522. Emmett 3979(2) R1. Curtis 1846.
Nice additions. I like these hefty coins too. Got one from antioch recently but not of nero. My only nero tet. Poppaea (63 - 65 A.D.) Billon tetradrachm O: NEPΩ KΛAY KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AY, radiate head right. R.ΠOΠΠAIA ΣEBAΣTH, draped bust of Poppaea right, date LI right (year 10). Alexandria mint 63 - 64 A.D. 12.5g 25mm Milne 216, Curtis 132, RPC I 5275, Geissen 157 Ex. Harlen J. Berk
I picked up a few Hadrians too None particularly remarkable though except for a denarius which may take some time to photograph.
It's true that not all ancient writers were entirely condemnatory of Nero. Even Plutarch, who generally didn't have very nice things to say about him, reckons that the gods may have granted him some small favor after his death and reincarnated him as a singing frog rather than a viper . I didn't think I'd need another Nero quite so soon after my last one, but I guess perhaps I do... nice new pick ups!
A singing frog... that's funny! Apparently Nero was an artist wannabe, surrounding himself with poets and musicians. I know people like that (me )
TIF your coins are awesome, pics are great to,i like these big Billon coins also!!! This is my only Nero Alexandria mint..Year 11=64/5
That top one is a winner TIF, I prefer it over all the others. Then again, I have an obsession with full legends. Nothing to see here...
I don't own any of these provincials. Perhaps one day in the future. I am tempted for sure. Very nice coins.
If I remember correctly there have been a couple hoards found with primarily Nero tetradrachms. It was attributed to the civil unrest after his death. I wouldn't want to be caught with a bunch of Nero tetradrachms when Vespasian was coming to Egypt to secure the grain supply. I think I have three Nero tetradrachms now but I can't remember. I will post my favourite though. Nero AR Billon Tetradrachm, Alexandria. Year 13 = 66/67 AD. Obverse: NERW KLAU KAIS SEB GER, radiate bust right wearing aegis Reverse :AVTOKPA, helmeted & cuirassed bust of Roma right, LIG to right. Someone didn't like Nero since his eyes have been deliberately punched out
