Emperor Nero Tetradrachm – Billon – Alexandria AD65-66

Description

Heading: Emperor Nero Tetradrachm AD65-66

Denomination: Silver alloy (billon) tetradrachm

Period: Roman imperial 

Date: AD 65-66 (Dated RY 12)

Origin: Provincial mint, Alexandria, Egypt

Condition: AVF/F, darkly toned

Obverse: Radiate bust of Nero, right, legend in Greek around

Reverse: Draped bust of Alexandria, wearing elephant-skin headdress, legend around, LIB (date) before

Size and Weight: 24mm, 11.61g

References: RPC 1 5289

Features and Provenance: Ex CNG sale

Nero was born in AD 37 and was adopted by Claudius at the age of 13. Upon Claudius’ death, in AD 54, he succeeded him to the throne and was popular with the Praetorian guard and lower classes, mainly for his love of the arts. His obsession with being a celebrity, regularly performing in public, reading poems and singing and playing instruments and even acting made him highly popular with the people.

However, the nobility thought this degrading and resented having to pay taxes to allow these performances. After the burning of Rome, his lavish life style didn’t diminish and he built his Golden Palace. His zeal to rebuild Rome caused many to accuse him of arson but he blamed the Christians and a period of persecution ensued. Most contemporary sources considered him tyrannical, self-indulgent and debauched; when the Senate declared him a Public Enemy of Rome he committed suicide at the age of 30.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible