Tejas Posted November 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) This sestertius type of Nero is very interesting in my view, and the reverse may be misunderstood. The reverse legend ADLOCVT (TIO) COH (ORTIVM) refers to the addressing of the troops by the emperor. The usual interpretation is that the emperor, Nero in this case, is addressing the Praetorian guards in front of their headquarters. However, the guardsmen are in my view not dressed like Praetorians on this coin. Instead, they are wearing trousers, some kind of capes and it appears that they have beards. Hence, I think it is more likely that Nero is addressing his Germanic bodyguard, called the "Germani Corpori Custodes". Indeed, the Germanic bodyguard were apparently the last troops that remained loyal to Nero when he was killed in AD 68. Edited November 25, 2023 by Tejas 11 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted November 25, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) On this coin the soldiers are even clearer to see and it is in my view clear that these are not Praetorians, but Germanic warriors in imperial service. The trousers and the beard of the soldier directly in front of the emperor are clearly visible. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1210157 Edited November 25, 2023 by Tejas 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted November 25, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) On the coins of Caligula the Adlocutio scene is represented with a different type of soldiers, probably Praetorian guardmen, which illustrates the contrast with the soldiers depicted on Nero's sestertii. The soldiers wear Roman helmets and Roman military dress. Even their standards look different to those represented on the coins of Nero. I think this strongly indicates that Nero addresses his Germanic bodyguard, while Caligula addresses his Praetorian guard. I think these differences would not have been lost on contemporary Romans. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3734524 Edited November 25, 2023 by Tejas 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted November 25, 2023 · Patron Share Posted November 25, 2023 ...a grail coin if i ever saw one! 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted November 25, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) Yes, and the reverse type is very attractive. This one in breathtaking condition sold for CHF 600'000! https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2176721 Edited November 25, 2023 by Tejas 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) 44 minutes ago, Tejas said: This sestertius type of Nero is very interesting in my view, and the reverse may be misunderstood. You are not alone, but keep attention 😉 https://www.numismatikforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11495&start=8415#p593304 Quote I also have some doubts on that coin, it could be a padouan or similar. Anyhow thisis why I am sellling on ebay as something to be identified, they can also return it if they don't like it Edited November 25, 2023 by Prieure de Sion 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted November 25, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted November 25, 2023 (edited) Interesting. It looked quite genuine to me when I saw it on ebay. It is true, the reverse looks quite smooth as you would expect from a cast. However, the overall style and in particular the condition of the obverse is pretty convincing. I even think there might be some harsh cleaning or tooling in the legend above Nero's head. Hard to say. Edited November 25, 2023 by Tejas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 26, 2023 11 hours ago, Tejas said: Interesting. It looked quite genuine to me when I saw it on ebay. It is true, the reverse looks quite smooth as you would expect from a cast. However, the overall style and in particular the condition of the obverse is pretty convincing. I even think there might be some harsh cleaning or tooling in the legend above Nero's head. Hard to say. Only with pictures - I think it’s not possible to say 100% secure it was a Paduan or was genuine. For me - I have a strange feeling and wouldn't be surprised if it was a Paduan. In the end the question was - how much was the final hammer price, so you can say, ok that’s ok for that risk. If you get the coin - your next step must be let’s check it from a expert face to face. But with the style, the preservation, the soft drawings - I think I'll take bets that it's Paduan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted November 26, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted November 26, 2023 Ah, you meant this coin 🙂 Yes, I agree from the pictures it is almost impossible to judge this. For comparison, here are the only two "Paduan" Ad Locvt" sestertii of Nero I could find on acsearch. They are clearly from the same mold and I think the coin on Ebay has much better surfaces: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5903738 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6258969 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted November 26, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted November 26, 2023 This one is offered on a fixed price site for EUR 450. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 26, 2023 And? You won it - or not? 🙂 Around 1290€ … 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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