One recent and one not-so-recent acquisition which I think compare nicely. On the left we have a specimen from Rome, and on the right one from Lugdunum. The telltale sign of the Lugdunum mint is, of course, the small globe at the point of the bust — but I think here the contrast in style is very clearly apparent. Rome gives us an idealised (and rather cold, distant) portrait. Combined with the inaugural appearance of the radial crown on a living emperor we have something rather Hellenistic in feeling — the princeps as demigod. Meanwhile Lugdunum hands down what we might imagine is something closer to Nero the man — the jowls, the scowl, the artfully messy hair. Mattingly diagnosed the Lugdunum style as "rugged, but vigorous, with an expression often almost truculent", which fits this specimen rather neatly. The lack of consistency in the headgear is of note. The mints were experimenting with indications of value at this stage: Rome did what would later become conventional, but Lugdunum generally turned out a laureate head on the Dupondius and a bare head on the As. Difference in the inscriptions is chronological in nature: the Lugdunum coin dates from after Nero's assumption of "Imperator" as a praenomen in 66AD. Meanwhile "Germanicus" disappears completely -- was it deliberately dropped, as Mattingly wondered, "as a suggestion that the Parthian triumph of Nero eclipsed the traditional Germanic glories of the family?" The earlier Rome also finds room to honour the emperor's descent by adoption from the divine Claudius. Nero, Rome, c.64-66AD, O: radiate head right, NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P / R: Roma seated left on cuirass holding wreath and parazonium, arms piled around, ROMA, S-C between Nero, Lugdunum, c.66-68AD, O: laureate head left, globe at point of bust, IMP. NERO. CAESAR. AVG. P. MAX. TR. P. P. P. / R: Securitas holding sceptre seated right, lighted, garlanded altar and torch to right, SECVRITAS AVGVSTI, S-C between Both just absolutely lovely coins visually, as much character as you could ask for. The reverses are fairly self-explanatory, and I think the "Securitas" composition turned out very agreeably. So — post some Neroes, or the same thing from multiple mints, or whatever feels germane to the topic.
(I think you might have swapped them around, cuz I see a globe on the right and not on the left.) Great coins though! Wow! Agreed, it's lovely!
A wonderful post featuring great coins. I really appreciated your interpretation based on the numismatic evidence. I have long been fascinated with the portraiture of Nero. I believe these portraits tell an interesting story. This one is a very young Nero as Caesar under Claudius. I wish I knew if there was some significance in the directionality of the portraits. The next 2 are both pre reform denarii. These are fairly difficult to find but they are interesting. Both are still young portraits. he is starting to put on some weight but he still has a youthful appearance. This last one is a different animal all together. The 'Fat Tyrant' portrait on this coin is an image I think many people associate with Nero. This coin was struck in the last year of his reign. I would love to have more coins of Nero.
Good post. I have a similar pair: Lugdunum laureate dupondius Rome radiate dupondius with II denomination mark My Roma is a sestertius There are many variations of the Temple of Janus asses. Most common Nero bronze is the Victory as.
Very nice @Trebellianus, I especially like the Securitas reverse. I don’t have an imperial Nero yet, still waiting on the “right” one, but here’s a Nero tetradrachm from Alexandria with a bonus emperor (Tiberius) on the reverse. Nero, Tetradrachm, Alexandria, (22 mm, 13.54g), Circa 66-67 AD, NEPΩ KΛAY KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AY, Radiate bust of Nero to left, wearing aegis; in field to left, L IΓ. Rev. TIBEPIOΣ KAIΣAP, Radiate head of Tiberius to right. Dattari (Savio) 185, RPC I 5295
Great coins. LOVE the Lugd! Funny enough, I just received a neat lil Nero coin in the mail today! One I'm very excited to own, and get a great "kick" out of (to soon?), Is one that portrays someone who greatly adds to Nero's notoriety...Poor Poppaea Nero With Poppaea ALEXANDRIA Billon tetradrachmon, 63-64. Head with strkr. No. Rv. [POPPAI] A SEBASTH Drap. Bust nr, the hair in the neck in a braid, in the field r. Date LI (= year 10). 12.18 g. Geissen 58, 157. Dattari 12, 196. RPC I, 708, 5275. Rare. Ex: Savoca
Awesome! Happens to all of us. Nero, AE Dupondius Struck 62-68 AD, Lugdunum (Lyon) Mint Obverse: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P, Head of Nero, laureate, left; small globe at point of neck. Reverse: VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory walking left, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left, S-C in fields, II in exergue. References: RIC I 410; Lyon 81; BMCRE 350; Cohen 346 Size: 29mm, 14.84g Nero, Ruled 54-68 AD AE As, Struck 65 AD, Rome mint Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, Laureate head of Nero right. Reverse: Victory alighting left, wings spread holding shield inscribed SPQR, S-C across field. References: RIC I 312, Sear 1976 [Below is an image of the coin as purchased prior to cleaning.]
Here are some of my middle Nero bronzes - I love all of his coins, but much prefer the more florid issues from Lugdunum.
Description: Nero Æ Dupondius. Rome, circa AD 64. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, radiate head right / Façade of the Macellum Magnum; MAC AVG above, II (mark of value) in exergue. RIC 184; WCN 203. 14.38g, 29mm, 6h. This portrait seems to me to be influenced by the portrayals of Hellenistic monarchs - idealised and upward looking.