Lot 3293
Nero, AE Sestertius (25.22g). AD 54-68. Lugdunum (Lyon), AD 65. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head of Nero right, globe at point of bust. Reverse: S - C, Nero, bare-headed and in military dress, astride prancing horse right, holding spear with right hand in underhand grip; behind him, cavalryman on horseback right holding vexillum over right shoulder; DECVRSIO in exergue. RIC 436. Cohen 86. BMCRE 312. CBN 72. An incredible piece, well struck on an enormous flan and exhibiting a lovely glossy enamel-like emerald green patina. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $7,000 - UP
Ex Lanz 114, 26 May 2003, lot 285.
Though no one's idea of a military man, Nero greatly enjoyed all forms of public display, including those practiced by the Roman army. Here the emperor makes a rare appearence in military garb riding in the Decursio, a series of grand military maneuvers described by Livy and Suetonius as a thrice-monthly march-out by infantry and cavalry in full kit, proceeding ten miles from the camp and ten miles back. During the mid-first century these processions took on the form of a triumphal parade, which no doubt appealed to the emperor's exhibitionist bent. The unit in question can only be the Praetorian Guard.
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| Realized $8,700 |
