Had this for a while but just getting around to posting it. I have had many nero coins come and go so I don't often buy new ones, but this caught my eye due to the reverse. Help the price was pretty cheap too. A bit rare & I love them crusty like this. Also, the date is easier to read in hand. Nero (54 - 68 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: NEΡΩ KΛAY KAIS SEBA GEP AVTO, laureate head right. R: NEO AGAQ DAIM, Agathodaemon serpent, coiled with head up, holding poppies and grain ears, L ς (date) to left. Year 6. 23mm 13.11g Milne 203; Emmett 106.6 (R4) ; RPC 5260 The Agathodaemon was a good spirit/demon that was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. He had the shape of a serpent with a human head. The Greek inscription on the reverse of this coin shows that this is the "neo" or "new" agathodaemon serpent, or, in other words, the new good spirit (of rule by Nero).
Nero's Alexandrian tetradrachms often have an unattractive style (the Ramen Noodle School of Engraving) but your coin is wonderful style! Congrats on the acquisition .
Great coin, esp. the reverse calls to mind Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and her ignominious death from a serpent's bite.
Here's one of Nerva...slightly rare I guess...my snake-e-o clearly has a serpent's head rather than a human head.
I know it is a bit late.... but I just wanted to comment on what a great looking Nerva example that is!! The coin posted by the original poster is very nice as well! I really like the Agathodaemon reverse coins, esp. with clear detail on the crowns. Here is my example, the obverse is a bit...rough, but I love the reverse detail on the poppy pods etc. as well as the very clear date(regnal year 3): *I can't figure how to get it to upload pics, so here's links ... http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=3342&pos=20 http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=3342&pos=21
When you're drafting or editing a post, click "upload a file," and then upload the image from your computer, assuming that you've saved it to your computer. Once you've uploaded it, click on the "full image" option so the picture appears in the post, rather than as a thumbnail attachment.
