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Both sides of an irregularly shaped bronze coin with relief decoration on each side.　

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a man facing left, tendrils of curly hair held in place with a laurel wreath; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: N E R O / C L A V D I V S / C A E S A R / A V G / G E R / P M / T R / P / I M P / P P. The other side of the coin depicts a view of a harbor seen from above. At the top, a small island with statue of a man holding staff; at the bottom, the reclining figure of a man facing left, holding rudder in left hand, a dolphin in his right; within the central harbor, six ships; along the top and bottom borders, the Latin characters: A V G V S T I / S / P O R / O S T / C.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1942.176.125
People
Nero, Roman (r. 54 - 68 CE)
Title
Sestertius of Nero with bird's-eye view of the harbor of Ostia, Rome
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
64 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Early
Culture
Roman Imperial
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/195530

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Metal
AE
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
26.79 g
Die Axis
6
Denomination
sestertius
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: obverse: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER PM TR P IMP PP
  • Obverse Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P
  • Reverse Inscription: AVGVSTI S POR OST C

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
RIC I 2, 181 p. 162

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The George Davis Chase Collection of Roman Coins, Gift of George Davis Chase, Professor of Classics and Dean of Graduate Study at the University of Maine
Accession Year
1942
Object Number
1942.176.125
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Laureate bust of Nero r., wearing aegis; around, NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P.
Rev.: Bird's-eye view of the harbor of Ostia. At the top, pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune l., l. hand holding scepter; at the bottom, reclining figure of TIber l., r. hand holding rudder, l. hand dolphin; to l., crescent-shaped pier with portico of varying length, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to r., crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips, top end terminating with figure seated on rock; within the central harbor, six ships. Above, AVGVSTI; below, S POR OST C.

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu