Nero At Eighteen, And Ten Years On

Really nice looking coin Jim!
Looks like Rome had its own version of McDonald's!..Neat comparison of the portraits..I actually find the reverse depiction of Eirene most appealing with lovely detail!

I have Keith Emmett's reference book on Alexandrian coinage and thought I'd take a look..Here's the Emmett number to add to your references..Emmett#119

The Emperor reminds me of the King.



Man, it stinks getting old.

Thanks, Bob, @Coinfrog and @sel_69l.

Thanks, Paul. Any additional information is always welcome, and thanks for taking the time and trouble to photograph and post the Emmett pages.





I hear you too, @chrsmat71. It isn't much fun.

Poor old Elvis had a prescription drug problem as well, and that is what killed him.

Like most upper class Roman patricians, Nero's body had to deal with a lead poisioning problem from lead piping. Probably helps to explain the cruel irrational attitude of some other notable Roman Emperors.

Nero didn't stink, (at least from aging problems), - he was only 31 years old when he died.

Thanks, @ttkoo. I'm afraid that if I had a friend like that, he would no longer be on my Christmas card list!


A good point, @sel_69l. One tends to forget that they had more to contend with than first meets the eye.


Indeed, Mike. The comparison did make me smile.

This is my only Nero. An AE as. Certainly not a youth...so probably more comparable to the Elvis of the late-1970's. One too many peanut butter and banana sandwiches!

Nero as "Genius of the Romans". Naturally! Obverse: the Emperor facing left, IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P PP; small globe at the point of his neck. Reverse: Genius standing left, right hand holding a patera over a flaming altar, while holding a cornucopia in the left. GENIO AVGUVSTI, SC in field. 29mm, 10.54 grams.

So very right, Jim. There is much to appreciate in this specimen. Aside from the realism expressed in the portrait, I also enjoy the mottled patina, and favor the GENIO reverse motif. So appropriate for this "artiste" of an emperor! Nero and Elvis would be fast friends.

Oh! Look at that! *face-wash* Beauuutiful specimen, erafjel. Looks as large and weighty as Nero's ego! Very clearly the artist leaned in the direction of caricature for this portrait of the emperor. Really accentuating the largeness of his head in relation to his other features. Making a sly commentary perhaps? I mean, how does one say "The emperor has a big head"...without losing your own?