NERO, A.D. 54-68. AE Sestertius (23.33 gms), Rome Mint, ca. A.D. 64. NGC VF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5. Fine Style.
RIC-181 corr. (rev. legend and orientation). Obverse: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust right, wearing aegis; Reverse: S - C / AVG-VSTI above, PORT OST below, Port of Ostia: seven ships within the harbor; at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune; below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips, terminating with a figure seated on rock. One of the more popular and highly collectable types not of Nero, but within the entire series of Sestertii owing to its rather ambitious and historical reverse. Fairly deep brown overall, with some minor roughness as is usually the case, but with a very clear portrait and, even more importantly, with a terrific rendition upon the reverse. Fairly RARE and seldom seen as such.
Ex: Robert Myers FPL (3/1981) Lot # 71.
Estimate: $3000.00- $5000.00