Nero Sestertius, RIC I (second edition) Nero 398

Monetary and Economic Context

During the early years of Nero's principate, following his accession in AD 54, imperial minting of base-metal coinage was virtually suspended in the western provinces, leaving daily commerce dependent on worn Julio-Claudian issues and local imitations. Around AD 64, Nero initiated comprehensive monetary reforms that overhauled the weight standards of the aureus and denarius while simultaneously restoring the large-scale production of aes denominations. The sestertius, valued at four asses or one-quarter of a denarius, was the premier base-metal denomination and served as the primary vehicle for high-value everyday transactions, military disbursements, and state administrative expenses. In the western provinces, the opening of a massive branch mint at Lugdunum satisfied severe regional cash shortages. RIC I (second edition) Nero 398 represents an essential component of this western output, supplying Gaul, the German frontiers, and Britain with trusted official brass currency.

Mint Attribution and Manufacturing

The attribution of RIC I (second edition) Nero 398 to the mint of Lugdunum rests on well-established stylistic and diagnostic criteria first systematically classified by twentieth-century numismatists. While the imperial mint at Rome also struck abundant Roma-type sestertii, Lugdunum's engravers distinguished their dies by placing a minute globe (often described as a globe or pellet-on-globe) at the tip of the neck truncation on the imperial portrait. Metallurgically, Neronian sestertii were traditionally formulated in orichalcum (a bright golden copper-zinc alloy), though analytical surveys of western provincial strikes show minor variations in brass composition and trace elements compared to metropolitan Rome. Lugdunum employed skilled die cutters who adapted the refined, realistic portrait style originating in the capital, executing heavy flans that typically averaged between 26 and 30 grams, although individual striking weights fluctuated based on bulk al marco blank preparation.

Obverse Iconography

The obverse of RIC I (second edition) Nero 398 features a powerful, mature laureate portrait of Nero facing right. The imperial bust exhibits the naturalistic, fleshier rendering typical of his post-reform iconography, showing the broad facial features, prominent chin, and carefully arranged tiered curls of hair. Crucially, at the lowest point of the neck truncation sits the small globe, the diagnostic mintmark identifying Lugdunum execution. The laurel wreath encircling his head is tied at the back with ribbon ties falling neatly onto the neck, symbolizing imperial triumph, authority, and divine favor. The die cutting is bold and high in relief, reflecting the exceptional artistry achieved by western celators working in the imperial tradition.

Reverse Iconography and Symbolism

The reverse iconography portrays the personified Roma seated left in military attire upon a cuirass. She wears a crested helmet and short tunic, representing martial vigilance and imperial protection. In her outstretched right hand, Roma balances a miniature winged Victory holding a wreath, symbolizing continuous triumph, while her left hand rests upon a parazonium (a short ceremonial sheathed sword or dagger). Stacked behind the cuirass upon which she sits are defensive pieces of armor, specifically two round shields and one oblong shield. This carefully composed tableau synthesizes traditional Roman martial valor with peace achieved through victory. The arrangement of the shields and Roma's poise follow a classical design template conceived during Nero's reign that established a lasting visual standard for representations of the imperial capital across subsequent dynasties.

Epigraphy and Legends

The obverse perimeter bears the comprehensive Latin legend: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P. This standard formulation expands as Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Imperator, Pater Patriae. It fully articulates the princeps's dynastic heritage, high priesthood, tribunician authority, military acclamation, and fatherly guardianship of the state. On the reverse, the exergue or field carries the name ROMA, explicitly identifying the seated martial figure. The primary field is divided by the prominent letters S C, signifying Senatus Consulto ('by decree of the Senate'). Under imperial administrative convention, this formula appeared across official copper, brass, and bronze coinage, preserving the constitutional fiction of senatorial oversight over the traditional base-metal currency even as production was driven by imperial initiative.

Typology and Chronological Classification

In the standard classification established in the second edition of Roman Imperial Coinage Volume I, type 398 forms part of a cohesive series of Lugdunum bronze issues. While the broader catalogue date range spans AD 62 to 68, the initiation of the Lugdunum aes operation is widely placed by scholars around AD 64 to 65, coinciding with Nero's monetary revaluation and the fire of Rome, continuing through AD 67 until the rebellion of Julius Vindex in early AD 68 halted Neronian minting in Gaul. Type 398 is differentiated from parallel issues by its specific pairing: a right-facing laureate portrait with globe truncation, the exact unabbreviated imperial legend ending in IMP P P, and the reverse variant depicting Roma holding Victory and resting on a parazonium with three shields (two round, one oblong) behind the cuirass. Neighboring types in RIC I catalog variations such as left-facing portraits, bare heads, or alternative shield configurations.

Circulation, Hoards, and Archaeological Context

Specimens of RIC I (second edition) Nero 398 circulated widely throughout the western provinces of the Roman Empire. Excavations and site-find analyses demonstrate heavy distribution across the Gallic provinces, the military frontier along the Rhine in Germania Superior and Germania Inferior, and Roman Britain. Because the Lugdunum mint served as the primary supply center for the northwestern legions, its sestertii formed the backbone of provincial currency pools for decades. These robust brass pieces remained in circulation well past Nero's suicide in AD 68 and the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69), appearing in Flavian and even Trajanic coin hoards in heavily worn condition. Countermarks applied during subsequent reigns occasionally appear on Lugdunum sestertii, further attesting to their prolonged utility in regional commerce.

References

1. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Volume I: Augustus to Vitellius. pp. 257-261
2. The Western Coinages of Nero (Numismatic Notes and Monographs 161). pp. 112-118
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC I (second edition) Nero 398. ric.1(2).ner.398
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume I: From 31 BC to AD 69 (Revised Edition). p. 177, no. 398