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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 27.96 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 65. NERO • CLAVD • CAESAR • AVG • GER • P • M • TR • P • IMP • P • P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck / S C across field, Triumphal arch, hung with wreath across front and left side; above, Nero in facing quadriga escorted on right by Victory holding wreath and palm and on left by Pax holding caduceus and cornucopia; just below the quadriga on extreme left and right, two small figures of soldiers; on left side of arch in niche, figure of Mars standing facing, holding spear and round shield; ornamental reliefs on the faces and plinths of the arch. RIC I 392; WCN 410; Lyon 70; BMCRE 329; BN 77. Green-brown patina, minor smoothing. Near EF. An excellent portrait and terrific details on reverse.
Ex Helios 4 (14 October 2009), lot 262.
The arch depicted on the reverse is almost certainly the one ordained by the Senate in AD 58 to commemorate the Armenian and Parthian victories of the general Cn. Domitius Corbulo. As related by Tacitus (Annals Book XIII, 35-41), Corbulo’s legions captured Artaxata and replaced the pro-Parthian King Tiridates I with Tigranes, an obedient vassal of Rome. The Senate heaped praise on Nero for the victories and ordered “statues and an arch” built in his honor, although the public credited them to Corbulo. Apparently the arch was located on Capitoline Hill, but it no longer exists and its exact location remains uncertain. The Parthian-Armenian conflict would not be settled until AD 65, when this sestertius was issued; the diplomatic solution placed Tiridates back on the throne, but required him to come to Rome to be crowned. Corbulo’s popularity caused Nero to resent him and suspect his loyalty. Ordered to commit suicide in AD 67, Corbulo is said to have uttered the enigmatic word axios, variously interpreted as “I deserve it” or “I am worthy,” before falling on his sword.
The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.
Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
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