Finally got myself a Nero in Denarius form. Even though its "seen alot of history" & has some other flaws, I liked the portrait & it fit my budget for one perfectly. Nero (54 - 68 A.D.) AR Denarius O: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P P, Laureate head right. R: SA-LVS, Salus enthroned left holding patera. 3.3g 17mm Rome Mint (67 - 68 A.D.) RIC I 72, RSC II 320, BMCRE I 99
Thanks, I am surprised he was affordable, otherwise I would have bought him sooner. I dont mind a budget denarius now and then.
You are ahead of me here also. This is my best Nero denarius. It is, however an exceptionally good technical example of a plated coin with great seam on the reverse and text book wear through. Still, yours is silver and that is always better!
I wonder how many of his denari suffered from Gresham's Law. He debased to 90% silver, so all previous silver got hoarded, but 90% was the rule for a while after. I wonder how much affect that has on availability on Nero denari. I admit I see a lot more provincials it seems than Imperial issues. Of course, maybe that is just where I am looking.
Congratulations on your Nero, Mat. Lots of demand for Nero's denarii,and this reflects on the prices.
You may note a lot fewer Caligula, Claudius and young portrait Nero coins. The older, fat face coins like this Salus are much easier to find and much more often found worn from circulation. Earlier denarii with better silver that were in circulation when Nero debased the denarius would be likely to be melted while the new coins would be spent. It is true that extra demand for Nero makes the prices higher than normal but, after the Tribute Penny of Tiberius, and the Caius/Lucius of Augustus debased Nero are the common coins of the first half of the century. Compared to Claudius before and Galba/Otho/Vitellius after, Nero is rather a cheap one. Mat: I don't know why I never got a Nero silver other than I am cheap and they are not. I like bronze Neros better for the money.
I agree the Caligula and Claudius denarii are quite a bit scarcer than those of Nero. Everytime one shows up in an auction here in Germany the prices just seem to explode.....I will probably never own one, at least not in this life. Never mind, I find Nero quite interesting - here are 2 of my Nero's: Roma seated, and Vesta Temple.
