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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Mikey Zee, post: 2602852, member: 72818&quot;]This coin is both gorgeous and flawed. Under magnification the reverse crack is highly disconcerting and the slightly &#039;off flan&#039; portions of the legend disappointing. The obverse &#039;scratches&#039; also contain hairline cracks as well. At this point, I felt the estimate was highly optimistic and the required initial bid a bit too high but I finally convinced myself it was worth the expense although I will probably be debating that for years yet to come LOL</p><p><br /></p><p>Naturally, as I hold it in hand only the sharp details are most apparent and the flaws seem to fade from view. The light beard, typically missing on so many examples of the type, nearly as vivid as the hair on his head---and the temple of Vesta exceptionally detailed. Apparently, others who viewed this coin had the same reaction(s) that I did since I was the sole bidder and won this denarius at the initial required bid. So, for better or worse, now I&#039;m married to this coin for $150.00 <b>below</b> the estimate of $750.00<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie5" alt=":confused:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]568347[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]568348[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]568350[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]568353[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]568357[/ATTACH]</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Nero</b> (54-68 AD). AR Denarius (17 mm, 2.99 g), Roma (Rome), 65-66.</p><p>Obv. NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head to right.</p><p>Rev. VESTA, Hexastyle temple of Vesta with domed roof, set on podium of four steps; within, statue of Vesta seated left, holding patera and scepter.</p><p>RIC 62.</p><p><br /></p><p>For historical context, this denarius was circulating a year after the &#039;Great Fire of Rome&#039;, and concurrent with both the &#039;Pisonian Conspiracy&#039; and the &#039;First Jewish Revolt&#039;. Since Nero&#039;s debasement of his coinage was well under way by this time, perhaps the surface cracks are the result of the increased percentage of base metals....and the &#039;mangled&#039; legends a result of damaged or filled dies???</p><p><br /></p><p>As always, please feel free to post any coin you may have of Nero, the temple of Vesta or any other you would like to share...and don&#039;t hesitate to express any opinion, pro or con or indifferent.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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