ORC 5947 Nero GOLD aureus EF
$3,300.00
May-17-00

    Nero, AV aureus (=25 silver denarii) (7.63g) Rome Mint, 63-64 AD,
     NERO CAESAR AVG IMP Bare head right, with fairly straight hair
     and heavy-set features. / PONTIF MAX TR P X COS IIII P P Roma
     standing right, inscribing shield held on knee, foot on helmet,
     EX SC at sides. RIC42. EF, modest test marks on rim at 9:00/8:00,
     and even smaller marks at base of neck, matte surfaces
     characteristic of sea-water immersion.

     A full-weight aureus on the weight-standard used by the mints
     under Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. The last issue
     of Nero before the weight reduction when the portrait was
     produced with even heavier set features, and curly hair. After
     the reduction from c. 7.7 grams to c. 7.2 grams, Gresham's Law
     created a monetary system where The bad money drives out the
     good. The heavy aureii were hoarded or melted, while the lighter
     ones continued to circulate. Thus, though rarely offered, this
     issue is usually found with little wear.