Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Nero, son of Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger, became emperor in 54 AD, just seventeen, following the intrigues of his mother. On this sesterzio, the heavier coin in orichalcum of the roman imperial system, is impressed the image of Nero, with the crown and titles that indicates him as Pontifex Maximus, holder of Tribunicia Potestas, Imperator and Pater Patriae.

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On the reverse there is a depiction of the the Port of Ostia as an aerial view, which was built during Tiberius' reign and finished with Nero in 54 AD: a  iighthouse is on the upper part with Neptune's statue, above it the personification of river Tiber, with a dolphin and a ship's wheel. Docks of the port are depicted on the sides with buildings and seven ships.

Provenance: University Collection
Datation: c. 64 AD
Material: bronze
Dimensions: diam mm 34,5; gr 28,27
Inventory #: 27265