ROMAN. Nero. A.D. 54-68. Bronze Sestertius (25.11g). Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck circa A.D. 65. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck / ROMA in exergue, S C across field, Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory in outstretched right hand and resting left hand on parazonium; helmet and shields around. RIC I 442; WCN 421; Lyon 112; BMCRE 324-5; BN 76. aEF. A very attractive dark brown-green patina. This sestertius was struck at Lyon around A.D. 65, when Nero's image was being promoted strongly across the empire, with confidence displayed on the coinage while tension was building in the background. Lugdunum bronzes are often especially well made, and this issue with Roma and Victory is classic public messaging: stability, strength, and Rome in control. Ex Noble Numismatics Auction 121, lot 4447 (August 2019). (P)

Estimate: AUD 1000