Lot 1941

Description

Egypt, Alexandria, Poppaea under Nero (A.D. 62-65), billon tetradrachm, year 10 = A.D. 63-4, (12.606 grams), obv. Nero radiate head to right, around **NERW KLAU [KAI] SEB GER AU*, rev. bust of Poppaea to right, **POPPAIA [SEBASTH] around, LI to right, (S.713 [Roman Coins, £125], S.664 [£60], Koln 157-9, Milne 217-221). Weak on parts of the legend, otherwise very fine/good fine and scarce.

Second wife of Nero, married in A.D.62. She had been twice married. She died from the effects of a kick from Nero in A.D. 65. Poppaea rarely appears on coins and this issue from Alexandria provides a good example of her likeness.