Freeman & Sear - Gemini I, Session 2, Lot: 318

ROMAN EMPIRE. Nero, as Caesar (AD 51-54). Silver 
denarius (3.79 gm). Lugdunum, struck by Claudius, AD 
51-54. NERO CLAVD CAES DR[VSVS GERM PR]INC IVVENT, 
bare-headed, draped bust left / SACERD COOPT IN OMN CONL 
SVPRA NVM EX S C, priestly implements: simpulum, tripod, 
lituus, and patera. BMCRE 87. CBN 93. Cohen 312. RIC 77 
(R2). Von Kaenel pl. 14, 1141 (same reverse die). Very 
fine 

This rare reverse type informs us that Nero Caesar was 
"co-opted as a supernumerary priest into all priestly 
colleges in accordance with a decree of the Senate," 
not mentioned in the surviving literary sources. The 
occasion of this honor was doubtless Nero's assumption 
of the toga of manhood in AD 51, when Tacitus does tell 
us that the Senate granted Nero other honors, namely 
that he should be consul at age twenty, and that 
meantime he should be consul designate, having 
proconsular imperium outside Rome. The Senate further 
granted him the title Prince of the Youth, which is 
included in the obverse legend of our coin. 
Estimated Value: $ 1,000 

...Sold for $1,650 USD [ approx 1254 EUR, 874.5 GBP ] plus 15% buyers fee. 

Gemini I Auction Closed Jan 11-12, 2005. 

Re-used by permission of Freeman & Sear (www.freemanandsear.com) 
     and Harlan J Berk (www.harlanjberk.com).