CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Nero
- Denomination:
- Billon Tetradrachm
- Composition:
- Billon
- Date:
- Year 12 (65-66 AD)
- Obverse:
- [NE]ΡΩ K[ΛAYΔ ΣEB ΓEΡ], Bust of Nero, radiate, wearing aegis on left shoulder, facing right
- Reverse:
- [AY]TO-KPA, Bust of Alexandra, draped, wearing elephant skin headdress, facing right; in right field, LIB (regnal year)
- Reference:
- Dattari 204; BMC Alexandria p. 20, 163-164; SNG Copenhagen 119; RPC I 5289; Milne 238; Kampmann-Ganschow 14.88; Köln 172; Emmett 109; SGICV 633
- Size:
- 24.35mm, 12.7g, 12h
- Province:
- Egypt, Alexandria
- Grade:
- gF, well toned, edge cracks
- Provenance:
- ex Athena Numismatics, formerly Holyland Coins (2006)
Possibly the most infamous of the Roman Emperors, Nero ruled Rome from 54 AD until his death by his own hand in 68 AD. From murdering his mother and other political opponents to (according to rumour) starting the great fires of Rome, the stories about his reign paint a picture of a tyrannical and impulsive Emperor that the people of Rome were glad to see gone. During Nero's reign, the debasement of Alexandrian coinage followed that of the Roman denarius after the great fire of 64 AD. A large number of billon tetradrachms were minted to replace the existing currency. The silver which was recovered through this process was returned to Rome to mint denarii to fund building programs.
I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.
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Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras
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Date