See Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) 543; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 388.

1967.07

As of Nero

9.224 g. AD 66-68

Obv.: Head of Nero r., bare. Globe at point of neck? IMP(erator) NERO CAESAR AVG(ustus) P(ontifex) MAX(imus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) [P(ater) P(atriae)].

Rev.: Winged Victory draped striding l., with shield in right hand. Shield inscription worn smooth: [S(enatus) P(opulus) Q(ue) R(omanus)]. In field, S(enatus) C(onsulto).

There was no new bronze coinage issued at Rome from late in Claudius’ reign until AD 64. Then there was prolific issue, probably supplemented by the mint at Lugdunum (Lyons).  This coin appears to come from the Lugdunum mint (see Mattingly and Sydenham 138-142). The position of the title ‘Imperator’ places the coin in the last two years of Nero’s reign. In this period his coin portraits show a heavy-jowled, prematurely ageing face. Although this coin is very worn, something can be seen on the reverse of the fine treatment of drapery to indicate rapid movement.

The reverse type is appropriate to the period AD 66-68. In AD 66 the king of Parthia came to Rome to be crowned by Nero (Tacitus Annals 16.23). In the same year a serious revolt broke out in Judaea, which was not put down until AD 70. On Nero’s foreign policy successes, and Augustan associations of this coin, see Grant (1958) 33-34.

See Mattingly, H., E.A. Sydenham, C.H. Sutherland, R.A. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage 13 vols (London,  Spink, 1923-1994) 543; Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 388.