Ancient Rome - 54-68 CE Nero AV Aureus NGC AU

Scarce Nero Aureus Type

Nero (AD 54-68). AV aureus (20mm, 7.73 gm, 7h). NGC Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5. Lugdunum (Lyon, France) Mint, AD 60-61. Obverse: NERO · CAESAR · AVG  · IMP · with bare head of Nero facing right. Reverse:  PONTIF · MAX · TR P VII COS · IIII P · P,  with Virtus standing to the right, left foot on pile of arms, inscribing shield set on knee, EX - SC across fields.  References: RIC 27. BMCRE 29. Calicó 438.

Statue of Nero in Anzio, Italy, the birthplace of the emperor. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The 'EX  S C' found upon the reverse of this coin stands for Ex. Senatus Consulto--by a decree of the Senate or by a Senatus Consultum. Those letters on Roman gold and silver coins tells us that the coin was minted with senatorial sanction. 'EX  S C' also denotes that there were disbursements taken from the public treasury to cover costs of public games and other entertainments. It was in the year 60 CE, the year this coin was most likely produced, that the quinquennial Neronia first took place.

It was a colossal Greek-style festival created by Nero with three components: music, oratory and poetry; gymnastics; and horse riding. Such games borrowed from traditions begun by Julius Caesar and Augustus of having celebrations to mark an anniversary of their rule. The Neronia took place every five years. The first took place six years after Nero's ascension to emperor in 54 CE. The year 60 also saw Nero named Roman Consul along with Cossus Cornelius Lentulus. That same year also saw Nero start construction of his new palace, the Domus Transitoria. Thus there was much to commemorate about Nero upon a coin in 60 CE.