Found in Monmouthshire
From a Period of Engaging History
CNG 108, Lot: 574. Estimate $4000. Sold for $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
|
Nero. AD 54-68. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.70 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 56-57. NERO • CAESAR • AVG • IMP •, bare head right / PONTIF • MAX • TR • P • III•· P P • around oak wreath enclosing EX • S C. RIC I 11; Calicó 421; BMCRE 12-3; BN 11; Biaggi 229. Good VF, brushed, some marks and a small metal flaw on head. Handsome youthful portrait.
Found near Usk, Monmouthshire in the late 1990s and recorded by Rodney Hudson at Newport Museum (with ticket in his hand).
In circa AD 55 the Twentieth Legion, Valeria Victrix, was moved to Burrium, (present day Usk) to control the restive local tribe, the Silures. Burrium was the first Roman fortress in Wales. While stationed there the Twentieth took part in the defeat of the Ordovices tribe and the invasion of the island of Anglesey, the centre of British Druidism. Subsequently detachments from the Legion fought at Watling Street in the great battle that brought to a bloody end the revolt of Boudica. In AD 66 the Twentieth was sent to Viroconium (Wroxeter) and Burrium was abandoned.
See also lot 571 for another aureus found near Usk.