There are three opinions on the identity of my Nero Sestertius, mainly depending on if he is wearing an Aegis on the obverse. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P - Laureate head right PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT - Temple with doors to the left Sestertius, Rome 65 aD 32,42 mm / 22,85 gr I cannot see one and some experts agree, which would make this an obscure type (BMCRE 158, Giard 371, Cayon 165) of which I have not seen another specimen yet. Does anyone here have access to Giard (Cabinet de la Bibliotheque Nationale) or Cayon (Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano)??? Other experts do see traces of an Aegis between the P PP and the neck, which would make this a specimen of the common type RIC 264, BMCRE 156. The seller even listed the coin as RIC 438, which should have a globe at the tip of the bust, which I do not see at all. What do you think? Die matches would of course help...
Are the folks claiming to see traces of an aegis also stating it was removed by smoothing? I see no aegis.
I see no aegis either. The person who would have those references and be the most knowledgeable is Curtis Clay over at Forum
Just found an obverse die match I think! You guys got it right - it looks like there never was an Aegis on my coin either So this indeed exists as a bust type not found in RIC for this combination of legends and reverse!
