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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,959 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
I have been looking for a decent pre-reform Nero denarius for over a year. They aways sell for quite a bit. Then I saw one on the Agora auction the ended today. I waited until 7 seconds before the hammer and won it for my first and only bid. What do I like about this coin? First, there is the youthful portrait before the later fat tyrant portrait we all know and love. The portrait is quite nice on this coin and the depiction of Nero is quite affable. Second, I like that the coin has the full legend on the obverse. Yes it is a bit worn, but it is there. I also like the reverse, but it seems more worn than the obverse. This is my second Nero denarius and will have a special position in my 12 Caesars collection. Please post your coins of Nero. Nero. As Caesar, A.D. 50-54. AR denarius (18.40 mm, 3.37 g, 7 h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head right / PONTIF MAX TR P VII COS IIII P P, EX S C across field, Roma standing right, holding and inscribing shield supported on knee, foot on helmet; dagger and bow at feet to right. RIC 28; RSC 222. aVF, toned. Rare. From the D. Thomas Collection; Ex Hohn Leipziger Munzhandlung.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Congratulations on winning this coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Excellent addition and always sweet when you nab something you have been after for a decent price. Congrats!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Nice! I had been eyeing the one a few lots over, but had to wave bye-bye to make room for other purchases. Thought about nibbling at this one, but opted to wait for a nice "fat tyrant" portrait  Still only have a hideous Nero as, and I'm not 100% sure it's even him. Trying to exercise patience for a superb denarius. Question- do the titles on the reverse refer to Nero, or Claudius? Nero was only a teenager when he served as Caesar (I think he was 17 upon Claudius' death), so TRP VII and COS IIII would be impressive titles for a 16 year old! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Sweet pick-up, Andrew. Well played! (Although I usually hold off my bid 'til within the last five seconds...)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1609 Posts |
My fingers always get too jittery when an auction is so close to ending. Have lost several auctions due to finger-jitteryness.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Nice example. I'm sure you agree that the wait was well worth your patience.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1269 Posts |
@Finn235
I assume the titles must refer to Claudius.
Thanks to all for the positive comments.
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Moderator
United States
34419 Posts |
Great pick-up! I especially like how the letters are facing out rather than in.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
The coin is to date 60/61 , with Nero as Augustus , as is indicated in the obverse :NERO CAESAR AUGustus IMPerator , so the reverse refer to him and dates the coin in december 60- december 61 . The reference is RIC 28 (BMC 30 ) and it is a rare coin : R3. Very nice coin and a real acquisition . albert
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Pillar of the Community
United States
744 Posts |
I Don't collect ancient coins, but that is a very nice coin, and in amazing shape for its age. Congrats on obtaining it...
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
I always check the auction house coin references when I buy a coin. Sometimes they get it wrong. They did in this case. As I suspected last night this coin is not RIC 28, it is RIC 34. The reverse legend reads TRP VIII and NOT TRP VII.
I want to personally thank Curtis Clay for also noticing this and for sending me a PM on FAC to inform me of the error.
I may be generalizing too much but I think RIC 34 is a rarer coin than RIC 28. Both are R3. I found 0 examples of RIC 34 in the CNG archives and only 4 on acsearch.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
Thanks Albert for the additional scholarship on my coin. Your time and input is greatly appreciated.
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
You are riight , it is tribunicia potestas VIII , RIC 34 and to date a year later : 61/62 . albert
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,959 |
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Posted 08/15/2017 4:44 pm
