Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Nero
Ancient Roman
67–68
- Medium
- Billon
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.4 cm (1 in.)
- Genre
- coin
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
roman period (egyptian)billonportraitsilver alloycoininorganic materialancient artnonferrous metalgreco-roman (egyptian)metal
About
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays a bust of Emperor Nero, facing left, wearing a cuirass (military cloak). The date this coin was struck is indicated in the inscription " LI ∆ " (only the last letter is visible in this example), which means the fourteenth year of Nero's reign, or 67-68 CE. Nero reigned as emperor from 54-68 CE.The back (reverse) depicts the bust of the god Apollo of Actium, facing right, a quiver on his shoulder, and a star before. Nero's fondness of music and the arts is demonstrated in this imperial type showing the god of these themes, Apollo.
