★ Damnatio Memoriae ★

LYDIA. Sardis. Time of Vespasian, 69-79. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 12.5 mm, 2.48 g, 7 h), struck under the magistrate Ti. Cl. Phileinos. EΠI TI KΛAY ΦIΛEINOY CTΡA Draped bust of Mên to right, wearing Phrygian cap; crescent on his shoulders. Rev. CAΡ/ΔIA/NΩN in three lines within laurel wreath tied below. RPC II 1307. SNG Leypold 1192. Very fine.

From an American collection.

On the obverse of this coin, the word "CAPΔ" can be seen just below the bust of Mên. Also on the reverse, the world "KAIC" is visible at 12h. Both of them, are traces of the host coin that was used to strike the present coin, which is no other than a hemiassarion of Sardis, issued most likely under Nero. Why did Sardis re-strike a coin that issued just a few years before? There is only one and simple explanation. Damnatio Neronis Memoriae.