Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 666 Numistats ref: 673155
Nero
Authority
Aureus
Denomination
-
Year
RIC ric.1(2).ner.50
RIC 50
References
Roman Imperial
Category
Nero. AD 54-68. AV Aureus (18mm, 7.33 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64-66. NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS, laureate head right / IANVM CLVSIT PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA, closed doors of the Temple of Janus. RIC I 50 and 58; Calicó 409; BMCRE 64-6; BN 211-2; Biaggi 224; Elkins, Monuments Figure 76; Adda 30; Biaggi 224; Mazzini 114. Lustrous and attractive. Near EF. An interesting architectural reverse type with the closed doors of the Temple of Janus, sending the signal to the Roman people that there was no war.
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA37C; Classical Numismatic Group 82 (16 September 2009), lot 983; New York Sale XX (7 January 2009), lot 401.
The Temple of Janus was one of Rome’s most ancient centers of worship. It was said that Romulus had built it after he made peace with the Sabines, and that it was king Numa who decreed that its doors should be opened during times of war and shut during times of peace. In all of Roman history until the reign of Nero, the temple doors had been shut perhaps five or six times – once under king Numa (who originated the tradition), once at the end of the Second Punic War, three times under Augustus, and, according to Ovid, once under Tiberius.
In AD 65, when peace had been generally established in the Empire, Nero understandably requested the closing of the temple’s doors. He marked the event with great celebrations and trumpeted his policy of peace by issuing a large and impressive series of coins. The inscription on this issue announces “the doors of Janus have been closed after peace has been procured for the Roman People on the land and on the sea." The doors of the temple probably remained closed for less than a year, being opened again with the onset of strife in Judaea in 66. Description
Ex MACM inventory MMoCA37C; Classical Numismatic Group 82 (16 September 2009), lot 983; New York Sale XX (7 January 2009), lot 401.
The Temple of Janus was one of Rome’s most ancient centers of worship. It was said that Romulus had built it after he made peace with the Sabines, and that it was king Numa who decreed that its doors should be opened during times of war and shut during times of peace. In all of Roman history until the reign of Nero, the temple doors had been shut perhaps five or six times – once under king Numa (who originated the tradition), once at the end of the Second Punic War, three times under Augustus, and, according to Ovid, once under Tiberius.
In AD 65, when peace had been generally established in the Empire, Nero understandably requested the closing of the temple’s doors. He marked the event with great celebrations and trumpeted his policy of peace by issuing a large and impressive series of coins. The inscription on this issue announces “the doors of Janus have been closed after peace has been procured for the Roman People on the land and on the sea." The doors of the temple probably remained closed for less than a year, being opened again with the onset of strife in Judaea in 66. Description
Near EF
Grade
8628.76 EUR
Starting
14381.26 EUR
Estimate
EUR
Realized
Roman Imperial. Nero. Aureus RIC ric.1(2).ner.50 RIC 50
Nero
Authority
Aureus
Denomination
-
Mint
-
Year
RIC ric.1(2).ner.50
RIC 50
References
NERO CAESAR AVGVSTVS
Obverse Legend
IANVM CLVSIT PACE P R TERRA MARIQ PARTA
Reverse Legend
Head of Nero, laureate, right, with beard
Obverse Type
Temple of Janus with closed doors
Reverse Type
Sold (87.5%)
Unsold (12.5%)
