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

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a man facing right, bearded with long tendrils of curly hair held in place with a laurel wreath, loose clothing draped over shoulders; 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 M / P M / T R / P / I M P / P P. The other side of the coin depicts two men riding side by side on horses facing right. The man in front is wearing chest armor, a long spear is held in his right hand at his side, the horses front legs are raised. The man in the back is similarly dressed, but is holding a long vertical spear with a crossbar at the top that a flag is attach to; to the left and right of the men’s heads, the letters S and C; underneath the horses, the Latin characters: D E C V R S I O.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.225
People
Nero, Roman (r. 54 - 68 CE)
Title
Sestertius of Nero, Rome
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
62 - 68 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Early
Culture
Roman Imperial
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/196056

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Bronze
Metal
AE
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
32.13 g
Die Axis
6
Denomination
sestertius
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM PM TR P IMP PP
  • Reverse Inscription: S C; in exergue DECVRSIO

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
RIC I 2, 172 p. 162; BMC I 146 p.227.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.225
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Bust of Nero to r., laureate wearing aegis over left shoulder.
Rev.: Nero bare-headed, cuirassed and with cloak floating, prancing on horseback to r., holding spear, behind him a soldier mounted, prancing to r. with vexillum over r. shoulder.

Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973)
  • Kristin A. Mortimer and William G. Klingelhofer, Harvard University Art Museums: A Guide to the Collections, Harvard University Art Museums and Abbeville Press (Cambridge and New York, 1986), p. 120, no. 136, ill.

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • Roman Gallery Installation (long-term), Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/16/1999 - 01/20/2008
  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • Re-View: S422 Ancient & Byzantine Art & Numismatics, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/12/2008 - 06/18/2011
  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

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