Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 25.63 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. Good VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 689. Estimated: $ 7 500

Roman Imperial, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 19 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 25.63 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck / S C high to left and right, PORT AVG upside down in exergue, Port of Ostia: eight ships within the harbor; at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune; below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips. RIC I 440; WCN 420; Lyon 10/1 (D304/R315); BMCRE 323; BN 75 (same dies). Light green patina, even light roughness, minor smoothing and marks. Good VF. Exceptionally complete reverse.

From the Wayne Scheible Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc42956 (ND; their ticket included).

While Julius Caesar recognized the value of expanding Rome's port facilities at Ostia, it was Claudius who began actual building in AD 42. As part of the construction, one of Caligula's pleasure galleys was scuttled and filled with cement; above it was constructed a lighthouse surmounted by a statue of Neptune. Although the actual date of completion is not certain, it must have occurred shortly before this sestertius was minted. A further expansion of the facilities was required under Trajan and Hadrian. By the fourth century, however, the port's importance began to diminish as a result of silting. Soon the region became a breeding ground for malaria and was abandoned.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Three – Lot 648–983 will be held Wednesday morning, 10 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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