Nero Billon Tetradrachm of Alexandria. Year 14 = 67-68AD, Nero's last year.

obv: NERW KLAY KAIS SEB GEP AY, radiate head left, LID before. 

rev: NEMEIOS ZEYS, head of Zeus Nemeios right, crowned with celery leaves. 

BMC 130, Curtis Plate IX #3, Emmett 136.  
Ex Lindgren, List 72 Lot 122, Purchased 7/13/2002 as a "discounted remainder" for $45.

This coin commemorates the Nemean Games, the quadrennial athletic and musical 
competition held in August of 66 or 67 AD in the grove of Zeus Nemeios in 
the city of Argos. Nero himself is said to have been a competitor there.

Traditionally, the Nemean games were supposed to have been started by 
Hercules after he slew the Namean Lion. Recently, the games have been revived,
were held in 2000, and are sceduled again for 2004.

The winners of the Nemean games were crowned with celery leaves 
(rather than laurel leaves at other games) hence Zeus is crowned with them 
on this coin.