| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 30072 Price realized: 15,000 USD (Approx. 13,674 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Nero, as Augustus (AD 54-68). AV aureus (18mm, 7.34 gm, 8h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, AD 65-68. IMP NERO CAESAR-AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Nero right / IVPPITER-CVSTOS, Jupiter enthroned left, bare to waist, cloak around lower limbs, thunderbolt lowered in right hand, grounded scepter in left. Calicó 413. RIC I 63. A robust, gluttonous portrait, perfectly framed by a fiery silhouette on an autumnal-toned flan. From the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum. Ex Leu Numismatik, Auction 86 (5 May 2003), lot 778. Nero's reign from AD 54 to AD 68 as the fifth Emperor of Rome stands as one of the most contentious periods of the Empire. While ascended to the throne as a young man, his rule was shadowed by political intrigue, shocking personal excesses, and notable public works. Despite the infamy, Nero was a patron of the arts and culture, initiating grand construction projects like the opulent Golden House and sponsoring games and theatre performances. His reign was also marked by significant events such as the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, an event which eroded his popularity due to rumors of his inaction. In the realm of foreign affairs, Nero's rule witnessed tumultuous periods, including the suppression of the Boudica revolt in Britain and the ongoing tension with Parthia. Nero's reign ultimately ended in dramatic fashion with his suicide in AD 68, after widespread discontent and revolt precipitated his downfall, marking the lead-in to the "Year of the Four Emperors", in AD 69. In the sphere of numismatics, Nero's coinage helps document his reign. Notably, coins bore his portrait and traditional Roman iconography, but his attempt to associate his reign with the divine by depicting gods like Jupiter were seen as a contentious appropriation of religion for political ends. While Nero's reign was marked by extravagance, cruelty, and rebellion, he ostensibly sought the favor of Jupiter - employing the god's imagery and symbolism in monumental artwork, coinage, and public ceremonies, imbuing them with the god's supreme authority. Jupiter, regarded as a divine guardian of Rome and its political and moral guide, was an apt symbol for an emperor who sought to link his rule with divine authority. Yet, Nero's association with Jupiter was fraught with controversy, as historical accounts suggest that the emperor's actions often departed from the moral principles that Jupiter represented. This dynamic between Nero and Jupiter reflects the complex, dualistic nature of Roman imperial ideology, where emperors strove to associate themselves with celestial power while navigating the challenges and contradictions of their earthly reigns. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-nero-as-augustus-ad-54-68-av-aureus-18mm-734-gm-8h-ngc-choice-xf-5-5-4-5/a/3113-30072.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 8000-10000 USD |  |
