Lot 3324

Description

Nero, (A.D. 54-68), AE Dupondius, issued c.65, Rome mint, (12.742 grams), obv. laureate head to right of Nero, around NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, rev. view of temple of Janus with latticed window to left and door on right, around PACE P.R. VBIQ. PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, S C across field, (cf.S.1964 cf.RIC 306 [AE as], WCN 288 [AE as]). Nearly very fine and extremely rare as a dupondius.

The coin type is an as if struck in copper, although this piece is struck in orichalcum (the alloy used for a dupondius). It is also heavier than the usual as and about the same weight as a dupondius. Consequently as the series is a very diverse one with some laureate issues being dupondii it is considered that this coin is a dupondius using dies and legends only noted in RIC for an as. Consequently it is a new variety not previously published.