Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG >Auction >Auction 46 (02.04.2008)


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Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG >Auction >Auction 46 (02.04.2008)
Lot :514
Price :16000 CHF (~15760 USD)
Description
The Roman Empire
Nero augustus, 54 - 68
Sestertius circa 64, 28.93 g.
NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head r., with aegis. Rev. AVG - VSTI Bird’s eye view of the harbour of Ostia. At the top pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune, holding sceptre; at bottom, reclining figure of Tiber l., holding rudder and dolphin; below, S POR OST C . To l. crescent shaped pier with portico. To r., crescent-shaped row of breakwaters. In the centre, seven ships. C 37. BMC 131. RIC 178. CBN 299. Kent-Hirmer pl. 54, 192. Very rare. A very attractive specimen of this celebrated issue, well centred on a full flan and complete. Dark tone with some minor porosity on obverse field, about extremely fine
Ex Naville-Ars Classica XIII, 1928, 1165 and Leu M&M 21 October 1966, Niggeler part II, 1124 sales. As an inland city of more than one million people during the reign of Nero, Rome relied heavily upon its Tyrrhenian Sea port at Ostia. Antioch, the great metropolis in Syria, was similarly positioned, as it was about the same distance (c. 15 miles) from its Mediterranean port at Seleucia. Though essential to major inland cities, ports and harbours were perhaps the most challenging of all engineering projects, and they were very costly to build and to maintain. It comes as no surprise that when great ports were completed, it was cause for celebration. To Romans, such occasions not only affirmed their international renown as engineers, but also represented a new opportunity to reap benefits in transportation, trade, grain supplies and military applications. The construction of a port at Ostia had been considered by both Julius Caesar and Augustus, but the projected expenses were so daunting that it was not until Claudius came to power that construction began; finally, it was finished during the reign of his adoptive son Nero.
Estimate: 18000 CHF





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