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

Nero AV Aureus, graded NGC XF. Nero, CE 54-68, struck at Lugdunum (Lyon) mint in CE 60. Obverse shows bare head of Nero facing right. Legend: NERO • CAESAR • AVG • IMP Reverse within oak wreath. Reverse PONTIF • MAX • TR • P • VI • COS IIII • P • P •, EX SC within oak wreath. The wreath itself is within a beaded border. RIC I 19. Calicó 426. 

Nero's Torches (Polish: Pochodnie Nerona) is an 1876 painting by the Polish artist Henryk Siemiradzki.  It is also known as Candlesticks of Christianity (Świeczniki chrześcijaństwa). It portrays a group of early Christian martyrs who are about to be burned alive as the alleged perpetrators of the Great Fire of Rome, which occurred during the rule of emperor Nero in 64 CE. People from many different social circles, among them the emperor himself, are present to watch the burning, which takes place in front of the Domus Aurea. The scene is based on the descriptions by Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus.  

The 'EX  SC' found within the wreath on 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  SC' 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 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.