Rare Nero denarius

I have been looking for a decent pre-reform Nero denarius for over a year. They aways sell for quite a bit. Then I saw one on the Agora auction the ended today. I waited until 7 seconds before the hammer and won it for my first and only bid.

What do I like about this coin? First, there is the youthful portrait before the later fat tyrant portrait we all know and love. The portrait is quite nice on this coin and the depiction of Nero is quite affable. Second, I like that the coin has the full legend on the obverse. Yes it is a bit worn, but it is there. I also like the reverse, but it seems more worn than the obverse.

This is my second Nero denarius and will have a special position in my 12 Caesars collection.

Please post your coins of Nero.

Nero. As Caesar, A.D. 50-54. AR denarius (18.40 mm, 3.37 g, 7 h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head right / PONTIF MAX TR P VII COS IIII P P, EX S C across field, Roma standing right, holding and inscribing shield supported on knee, foot on helmet; dagger and bow at feet to right. RIC 28; RSC 222. aVF, toned. Rare. From the D. Thomas Collection; Ex Hohn Leipziger Munzhandlung.

 

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A wonderful coin for all the reasons you stated, and I also like the finely-reticulated surfaces that you sometimes find on ancient silver. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it - it gives silver the look of great age.

 

Its a nice example and coin as a whole, congrats.

 

I think it is a wonderful example @Orfew. Love that portrait!

 

OMG, this was THE coin of my DREAMS! I was waiting to the LAST minute and some FIEND stole it from me in the last seconds... all my dreams are shattered, I am broken forever....

Oops, wrong coin, wrong Auction.

BIG CONGRATS TO YOU ORFEW! Like this coin a lot.

Me, I won a cool Denarius, Quinarius, and a Carthage in this auction today.

 

I love it.

My favorite Neros are AE asses (more in my bracket).

 

What a catch! Struck at 100% silver fineness these are very desirable. Congrats!

 

I have a couple Neros...


RI Poppea-Nero BI tetradrachm of Alexandria LI yr10 63-64AD Milne 217 RPC 5275


RI Nero AR Tetradrachm 54-68 CE Eagle

 

Great coin!! Nice find. Congrats

I'd like to get more of his Imperial issues. He issued such a wide range of artistic and interesting coins.


Nero
struck in Rome, CE 63
Orichalcum sestertius, 34 mm, 26.7 gm
Obv: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP PP; laureate head right, wearing aegis
Rev: ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES; Ceres, veiled and draped, seated left, holding corn ears and torch, her feet on stool, facing Annona standing right, holding cornucopia; between them, modius on garlanded altar; in background, stern of ship
Ref: RIC 98. Cohen 24

 

Nice one Orfew. Here are a couple of my coins of Nero.

 

Wow!!!!!

 

Terrific coin Orfew, Nero coins are very popular so congrats on a great pickup. Nero Dupondius Macellum Magnum, Nero's great provision market. RIC 401, 29.5mm, 12.6gm.

 

Nice coin

 

Congratulations on your excellent Nero denarius acquisition @Orfew! This one is sort of a Nero.

 

Great catch! I've always wanted a coin with a decent young Nero portrait, but it's remained elusive thus far. Congrats!

 

Wow @Orfew I really like that one. I sat the latest Agora out, budget not wanting to bend even a little this month. I didn't even peak because my will is weak.
I only have 2 Nero's at the time.
The first is a recent purchase from JA. Which I really bought for the provencial city but also because I wanted to add another Nero.

This other was my first Nero that I bought some time ago from another forum member and it was cheap (very affordable)

 

@Orfew
Interesting, rare, pedigreed, full legends, good price (imo). What's not to like? Congrats!

Note to self: maybe I should finally register on Agora

 

that's an awesome nero denarius orfew!!

i should probably know this, but what does the "EX" mean with the SC?



my only nero is this tet...

 

From Forvm Ancient Coins "A few precious metal coins were issued with the letters Ex SC. These may have been special issues struck from Senatorial bullion rather than from the normal Imperial supplies"

 

Butcher and Ponting's analysis of the metallic make up of Titus' denarii show the Divus Vespasian EX SC issue was struck from the same recycled silver stock as Titus' regular issues, however, the refining process was different. The issues struck in the name of Titus in 80 have higher levels of lead than those struck in his name in 79 and the Divus Vespasian and Domitian divus filius struck later in 80. The issues struck with a higher lead content were refined less carefully than those with a lower lead content. Perhaps this had something to do with the fire at Rome in the spring of 80 which forced the mint to seek a temporary location while it struck Titus' pulvinaria series.

At any rate, the senatorial link to the Divus issues was more symbolic than real. I would think this would be true under Nero as well.