Burnett, A., Roman Provincial Coinage (London, British Museum Press, 1992) I, Alexandria, 5275;Poole, R.S., (ed.), A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum (London, The British Museum, 1873-1927; repr. Bologna 1963-1964) Alexandria and the Nomes no. 122.

1967.23

Tetradrachm of Nero

12.755 g. AD 63-64

Obv.: Head of Nero r., radiate. [NEPΩ KΛ]AY(διος) KAIΣ(αρ) ΣEB(αστος) ΓEP(μανικος) [AY(τοκρατωρ)].

Rev.: Bust of Poppea r., draped. Hair in short curls over crown and tied in chignon on neck. ΠOΠΠAIA ΣEBA[ΣTH]. In front, LI.

Minted in Alexandria. The obverse inscription is the Greek form of ‘Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Imperator’. On the reverse is the equivalent of ‘Poppea Augusta’. The date is ‘the 10th year’ (of Nero’s reign), i.e. August AD 63 to August 64.

Both Octavia (Nero’s first wife) and Agrippina (Nero’s mother) had previously had their heads on Nero’s Alexandrian coins, but these ceased in AD 58-59, about the time of Agrippina’s death. Octavia was divorced in AD 62 and Nero married Poppea. It was only then that Poppea had her head put on coins. She became Augusta in AD 63, at the birth of her daughter. Poppea’s portrait did not appear on coins issued from Rome.

Burnett, A., Roman Provincial Coinage (London, British Museum Press, 1992) I, Alexandria, 5275;Poole, R.S., (ed.), A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum (London, The British Museum, 1873-1927; repr. Bologna 1963-1964) Alexandria and the Nomes no. 122.