Sole Issue in the Name of Nero’s Daughter

332, Lot: 232. Estimate $150. Sold for $550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Roman Administration. Diva Poppaea and Diva Claudia. Died 65 CE and 63 CE, respectively. Æ (18mm, 5.21 g, 12h). Caesarea Panias mint. Struck 65-68 CE. Statue of Diva Poppaea seated left within distyle temple set on high podium / Statue of Diva Claudia standing left on basis within hexastyle belvedere set on high podium. Meshorer, Caesarea pl. 7, H; Meshorer 354; Hendin 1270; RPC I 4846. Near VF, dark grey surfaces with artificial earthen deposits.

The obverse of this coin honors Poppaea, Nero’s (and previously Otho’s) wife. In January of AD 63 she gave birth to Claudia, who survived only four months. This is the only coinage issued in the name of Nero’s daughter. According to Suetonius, Nero killed Poppaea, while pregnant with another child, by violently kicking her in the abdomen.