I feel like Nero is one of those infamous emperors that every Imperial collector requires in their collection. He's also one of those guys who is just a bit more expensive than bottom feeders like myself can generally afford, but when a good one comes up at around $50 I call that a win. Nero set the Empire's record for Worst Neckbeard, not to be matched until Gallienus a full two centuries later. Incredible. Nero is also know for a bit of megalomania, lopping off the head of a colossus of Helios and putting his own in its place. This statue was situated nearby to the Flavian Amphitheater, and it is said that the Colossus actually gave the Amphitheater it's common name, Colosseum. For a sense of perspective, here's a reconstruction with the statue next to ant-sized people. The statue was even significantly taller than that temple, reaching nearly 100 feet tall. These days, part of the foundation is still intact, although the actual statue is long gone, sometime between 4c and 7c AD. Most of the foundation was removed during Mussolini, along with the leveling of the Meta Sudans, but some remnants remain here: Now, the coin I just got is a rather lovely example of a laureate dupondius, toned dark black. Once upon a time it was bright golden brass, but it has turned to the dark side. Nero AE Dupondius IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P. Laureate head right VICTORIA AVGVSTI S-C. Victory walking left with wreath and palm 10.1g RIC Lyons 601 Please post your favorite neckbeard!
What a deal, @hotwheelsearl! Well done! Gallienus' crazy neck beard! Gallienus, 253-268 AD Roman Æ Antoninianus, 18 mm, 2.27 g Rome Mint 267-268 AD Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right Rev: DIANAE CONS AVG, gazelle walking left, XII in exergue Refs: RIC 181; Cohen 165; RCV 10200; Göbl 750b. Don't forget Tacitus, though! It's crusty, but with the BEST neck beard! Tacitus, AD 275-276. Roman billon antoninianus, 3.57 g, 22.1 mm, 12 h. Ticinum, AD 275-276, issue 2. Obv: IMP C CL TACITVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: ANNONA AVGVSTI, Annona standing left, holding ears of corn over modius and cornucopiae; T (third officina) in exergue. Refs: MER/RIC temp #3647; RIC 123; Cohen --; Estiot 2149.56; RCV 11767; La Venera hoard 1673.
Noice coin type. Big fan of all things Neronian. I recently won a young, beardless, Nero. So I'll save him for arrival. But when I think of neck beards I only think of one chinless man... Purchased similar to the reasoning of my rescue pet quaker parrot. I will not be stripping the identification some old fool thought would keep track through the ages his coin collection. Damaged but intriguing and still plenty of neck beards for allllll the ladies
Here's my take on emperors with neckbeards, while some may say it's a fashion statement, I believe these emperors simply didn't trust their slave barbers with a razor anywhere near their throat. Of course if anyone tried to hurt the emperor they would be quartered or crucified, but by then it would be too late!
Those photorealistic emperor mockups are almost creepy. In a cool way. You know Nero would be a hipsterish gamer type. Just look at that face. All that's lacking is some piercings. The way the neck is truncated in the image, it's easy to imagine the black T-shirt. PS- then again, he looks a tad Hobbit-esque, as well...
Historically this photorealistic bust is questionable, to say the least... It is inspired by a bust of "Nero" in a Roman museum, but this bust is at least 75% modern, being a baroque 17th c. restoration. Only the superior part of the face is ancient, and it was even re-carved in antiquity to modify the hair and forehead and change a Nero into a Domitian... A more realistic and authentic Nero is here :
There is a point amateurs miss about beards. Some are cultivated as fashion statements by the vain and some result from not shaving by those who simply do not care what you think of them. If hair grows on a neck, so be it. Many young men have more hair on the neck than on the higher parts of the face. You can make fun of them as you see fit. The Nero shown above looks a lot like some 19 year olds I know who are more into video games than foppery. I suggest you not make fun of them on Monday and expect them to fix your computer on Tuesday. I retired from the Army in October 1988. I have not shaved since Christmas 1988. My only regret is shaving in November. Obligatory Coin: I know there must be a neck beard under there somewhere!
