Nero. AD 54-68. Æ As (24mm, 6.98 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64. Radiate head right / Nero, as Apollo Citharoedus, advancing right, playing lyre; I. RIC I 211; WCN 272. VF, attractive dark green patina. Interesting type.
Nero felt his musical talents were a wonder to behold and so shared them with everyone he could force to listen. He won prizes at every competition at which he performed while touring Greece, and upon his return to Italy, he led a procession to the capital where he was cheered by the incredulous spectators along the way. He caused to be set up many statues of himself playing the lyre along the route, and Suetonius even mentions a coin with the same device. This is no doubt that same type, and thus presents an opportunity to own a coin specifically mentioned by an ancient author.
