Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 1153. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BITHYNIA, Nicomedia. Nero. AD 54-68. Æ 27mm (25.10 g, 1h). Struck circa AD 65-66. Laureate bust right, aegis at point of bust; c/m: GALBA within incuse rectangle / Nero on horseback prancing right; to right, foot soldier advancing right, looking back, holding vexillum over shoulder and shield; [to left, helmeted foot soldier running right](?). For coin: RPC I -; C. Howgego, “Greek legends and Roman types: a Neronian Enigma,” SM 35/140 (1985), pp. 88-92; SNG Copenhagen; SNG von Aulock -; cf. Gorny & Mosch 134 (11 October 2004), lot 1930; for c/m: Howgego 526 (Perinthus). VF, variegated green and brown patina, light smoothing. Extremely rare.

This countermark, always carefully placed to obliterate the face of Nero, is found on coins of Moesia (see MacDowell, NC 1960), Perinthus, and Nicomedia.