Sole Issue in the Name of Nero’s Daughter

349, Lot: 329. Estimate $200. Sold for $340. 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, 4.79 g, 12h). Caesarea Panias mint. Struck 65-68 CE. Distyle temple set upon high podium, containing statue of Diva Poppaea seated left / Hexastyle temple set upon high podium, containing statue of Diva Claudia left on basis. Meshorer, Caesarea pl. 7, H; Meshorer 354; Hendin 1270; RPC I 4846. Good VF, earthen green patina, large die break on the obverse.

The obverse of this coin honors Poppaea, Nero’s (and previously Otho’s) wife. In January of 63 CE 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