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Electronic Auction 531 – Session 2

Lot nuber 1036

Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 26.62 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64. Near VF.


Electronic Auction 531 – Session 2
Lot: 1036.
 Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 3 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 26.62 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64. NER[O CL]AVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head left / AVG VSTI above, POR OST between S C below, Port of Ostia: seven 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, terminating with a figure seated on rock. RIC I 182; WCN 113. Green and brown patina, roughness, pitting on obverse, softly struck on reverse. Near VF.

From the D.K. Collection.

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.

Closing Date and Time: 26 January 2023 at 10:11:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.