Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 23.10 g, 6h).

Keystone Auction 6 – Session Three – The Ken Bressett Collection, Part II – Roman Coinage
Lot: 3144. Estimated: $ 2 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 1 300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 23.10 g, 6h). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa AD 66. Laureate head left, globe at point of bust / Port of Ostia with seven ships within the harbor, at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune, below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin. RIC I 181; BNC 134. Good Fine, brown patina. Rare.

From the Ken Bressett Collection. Ex Hans M.F. Schulman 1965 @ $950.

While Julius Caesar recognized the value of expanding Rome's port facilitites at Ostia, it was Claudius who began actual building in 42 AD. As part of the construction, one of Caligula's pleasure galleys was scuttled and filled with cement; above it was constructed a lighthouse surmounted by a statue of Neptune. Although the actual date of completion is not certain, it must have occurred shortly before this sestertius was minted. A further expansion of the facilities was required under Trajan

The final winners of all Keystone 6 lots will be determined at the online sale that will be held on 11 March 2022. Session Three, presenting part 1 of the Ken Bressett Collection, featuring Roman coinage, will be held Friday evening, 11 March 2022 beginning at 7:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.