Nero Sestertius, RIC I (second edition) Nero 393

Monetary Context and Denominational Function

During the reign of Nero, the Roman monetary system underwent significant structural reorganization, culminating in the comprehensive monetary reform of AD 64. Under this overhaul, the precious metal contents of the aureus and denarius were reduced, while base metal issues in orichalcum (brass) and copper were revitalized to establish a coherent, tiered fiduciary coinage across the empire. The sestertius, traditionally struck in orichalcum, remained the largest and most prestigious base metal denomination, valued at four asses or one quarter of a silver denarius. Weighing on average between twenty-five and twenty-nine grams, the denomination provided a broad flan that served as the primary instrument for public architectural and political messaging. The issue catalogued as RIC I (second edition) Nero 393 was struck during this reformed period, integrating Lugdunum's vast productive capacity into the monetary economy of the western empire. Unlike smaller denominations such as the as or semis, which were routinely subjected to experiments in metal composition under Nero, the sestertius maintained an authoritative position in commercial payments, state disbursements, and treasury reserves. By deploying high-relief reverse imagery of recently awarded military honors on this heavy denomination, the imperial administration ensured that state messaging regarding external stability and victory was widely dispersed among soldiers, merchants, and urban populations throughout Gaul, the Rhine frontier, and beyond.

Mint Organization and Production at Lugdunum

The production of RIC I (second edition) Nero 393 is securely attributed to the imperial branch mint of Lugdunum. Established under Augustus, Lugdunum served as the chief western mint, strategically situated at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers to supply the vast legions deployed along the German borders and the civic centers of the Gallic provinces. After a hiatus in base metal striking under Tiberius and Gaius Caligula, the mint resumed massive striking operations under Claudius and Nero. Numismatists distinguish Lugdunum bronzes of Nero from those of Rome through distinct stylistic and technical criteria. Most notably, portraits produced at Lugdunum frequently feature a small globe placed at the truncation of the emperor's neck, an intentional mint signature used during this period. The engraving style of the Lugdunum celators also differs from the urban Roman style: the portraits exhibit slightly more compact facial features, neatly delineated curls along the nape of the neck, and distinctively punctuated lettering. Metallurgical analyses of Lugdunum sestertii indicate carefully cast flans of brass or high-tin bronze, struck with heavy steel dies that accommodated the deep, multi-layered architectural relief required for the triumphal arch reverse. Output was substantial, designed to satisfy the liquidity needs of military outposts in Germania and commercial markets in Gaul.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Portraiture

The obverse of RIC I (second edition) Nero 393 exhibits a mature laureate portrait of Nero facing left. The die cutters depicted the emperor with a fleshy neck, a prominent jawline, and carefully styled layers of hair arranged in stepped tiers around the forehead and sweeping back to the nape of the neck, reflecting the distinctive hairstyle adopted by Nero in his later years. The laurel wreath rests securely upon his head, tied at the back with ribbons (taeniae) terminating in loops that drape gently along his neck. Positioned directly at the lower tip of the neck truncation is the diagnostic globe, rendered as a miniature pellet or sphere, symbolizing universal Roman dominion while identifying the coin as a product of the Lugdunum mint. The choice of a left-facing profile provides an intentional counterpart to the right-facing varieties of the same denomination, demonstrating the balanced die-cutting protocols maintained by the mint. The portrait exudes imperial majesty and authority, departing from the youthful, idealized depictions seen during the first five years of Nero's reign (the Quinquennium Neronis) in favor of the realistic, courtly iconography developed after AD 62.

Reverse Iconography: The Neronian Triumphal Arch

The reverse of this type displays a masterful architectural perspective of a triumphal arch, viewed simultaneously from the front and its left-hand flank to produce a dynamic three-dimensional impression. The structure commemorated was decreed by the Roman Senate in AD 58 and completed around AD 62 on the Capitoline Hill to honor the victories of General Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo against the Parthian Empire over the kingdom of Armenia. Surmounting the attic of the arch is a colossal statuary group consisting of Emperor Nero standing in a triumphal four-horse chariot (quadriga), escorted by a winged Victory holding a wreath. Flanking the quadriga on the pedestals above the outer corners are sculpted figures of Pax holding an olive branch and Mars holding a spear and trophy. In the lower registers, the single vaulted passageway is flanked by Corinthian columns and pilasters, while the piers and friezes are adorned with intricate relief panels depicting Roman soldiers in battle and submissive captives. The left side wall of the arch features an oversized niche containing an imposing statue of Mars. The bold capital letters S and C occupy the left and right fields respectively, validating the monument's depiction under senatorial decree. This reverse represents one of the most detailed representations of lost Roman architecture preserved in ancient numismatics.

Epigraphy and Legend Structure

The inscriptions on RIC I (second edition) Nero 393 follow a strict imperial formula that articulates Nero's political and military titles. The obverse legend reads continuously clockwise around the flan: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, which abbreviates Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Imperator, Pater Patriae. This sequence confirms his status as supreme pontiff (Pontifex Maximus), holder of the tribunician sacrosanctity and veto power (Tribunicia Potestate), acclaimed military commander (Imperator), and father of the country (Pater Patriae). The absence of a specific regnal number after TR P leaves the issue dated by broader stylistic and structural horizons rather than a precise calendar year. The reverse legend consists exclusively of the traditional senatorial acronym S C, representing Senatus Consulto ('by decree of the Senate'). In accordance with standard Julio-Claudian monetary convention, base metal coinage was struck under senatorial authorization, maintaining the formal constitutional balance between Princeps and Senate even as Nero's autocratic tendencies deepened toward the end of his rule. Epigraphically, the letters are executed in clear, square Roman capitals, exhibiting sharp serifs and well-proportioned spacing.

Typology, Die Variations, and Chronological Placement

Within the second edition of the Roman Imperial Coinage, type 393 is positioned within the later issues of the Lugdunum mint, typically assigned to the period from AD 64 to AD 67, bounded within the broad catalogue range of AD 62 to AD 68. The arch motif was first struck at Rome around AD 64 following the monetary reform, and dies or prototype models were subsequently transferred or replicated at Lugdunum. RIC 393 is closely related to RIC 392, which shares the identical reverse type and obverse legend but depicts Nero facing right rather than left. Further variants at Lugdunum exist with slight legend modifications, including the omission of P P or the placement of IMP as a praenomen. Due to the high relief and complexity of the reverse die, celators frequently introduced minor variations in the architectural ornamentation, such as differences in the number of decorative frieze figures, the orientation of the quadriga horses, or the rendering of the statue of Mars in the flank niche. Die-link studies by David MacDowall have confirmed that reverse dies displaying the arch were paired interchangeably with several left-facing and right-facing obverse portrait dies, demonstrating a tightly managed, high-volume striking campaign during this brief chronological window.

Circulation Patterns and Archaeological Evidence

As a prime denomination of substantial value and weight, RIC I (second edition) Nero 393 circulated heavily throughout the western provinces of the Roman Empire. Archaeological excavation data and hoard evidence demonstrate that Lugdunum sestertii constituted the predominant base metal currency in Gaul, Britain, and the military zones along the Rhine and upper Danube frontiers. Sestertii struck at Rome penetrated these remote military zones in lower numbers compared to the domestic output of Lugdunum. Because Nero's base metal issues were struck with excellent metallurgical integrity, coins of this series remained in active commercial circulation long after Nero's death and subsequent damnatio memoriae. Countermarks applied during the civil wars of AD 68 to 69 and during the Flavian dynasty frequently appear on Neronian sestertii, confirming their continued legal tender status. Many specimens recovered from western river deposits and legionary fortress contexts exhibit significant surface wear, testifying to several decades of continuous circulation well into the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian, until the gradual debasement and reform of subsequent centuries eventually displaced them from commercial trade.

References

1. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Volume I: Augustus to Vitellius. pp. 261-263, nos. 329-334
2. The Western Coinages of Nero (Numismatic Notes and Monographs 161). pp. 120-145
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC I (second edition) Nero 393. ric.1(2).ner.393
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume I: From 31 BC to AD 69 (Revised Edition). pp. 179-181, no. 393