Lot 2171
Nero. Gold Aureus (7.27 g), AD 54-68. Rome, ca. AD 64/5. NERO CAESAR, laureate head of Nero right. Reverse: AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS, Nero standing facing, radiate and togate, holding Victory on globe and laurel branch. RIC 46; WCN 22; BN 202-5; BMC 56-9; Calicó 402. Well struck and well centered exhibiting a fine style portrait in high relief. Rose toning within the devices. NGC grade Ch XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Smoothing. Estimate Value $6,000 - 7,000
Struck circa AD 64/5, this coin's reverse shows the monumental 120 foot tall bronze statue of Nero in the guise of Sol that was originally just outside of the main palace entrance of Nero's Domus Aurea ('Golden House'). The Greek sculptor, Zenodoros, constructed the statue between AD 64 and 68, thus the representation on the coin predates the completed statue. After Nero's downfall, Vespasian replaced the head of the statue with one of the god Sol himself. In the second century, Hadrian had the statue moved adjacent to the Flavian Amphitheater, from which that building derives its popular name, the Colosseum.
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