Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 24.78 g, 7h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 66.

Triton XXIII – Session Two – Greek Coinage Part II through Roman Imperial Coinage Part I
Lot: 671. Estimated: $ 5 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 7 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 24.78 g, 7h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 66. IMP • NERO • CAESAR • AVG • PONT • MAX • TR • POT • P • P, laureate head left, globe at point of neck / S C across field, triumphal arch, showing the front, with a wreath hung across it, surmounted by the emperor in facing quadriga accompanied by Pax and Victory, flanked by two soldiers; statue of Mars in side niche; the faces and plinths of the arch are ornamented with elaborate reliefs. RIC I 500; WCN 452; Lyon 191; BMCRE 333-4; BN 139-40. Dark brown patina. EF. Finely detailed arch.

From the Jack A. Frazer Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 45 (18 March 1998), lot 1915.

This monumental triumphal arch was erected by Nero to commemorate Roman military campaigns against the Parthians in Mesopotamia and Armenia. Although not particularly successful in a military sense, with Paetus losing almost his entire army at Randeia in Armenia, the war did end with a peace treaty favorable to Rome that was upheld for nearly fifty years. This coin type is vitally important for architectural historians as the arch’s appearance is only known through its depiction on the coins.

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Two – Greek Coinage Part II through Roman Imperial Coinage Part I will be held Tuesday afternoon, 14 January 2020 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.