Sestertius - Nero CONG II DAT POP; Minerva
| Bronze | 26.6 g | 36 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Nero (Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus) (54-68) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 62-68 |
| Value | 1 Sestertius = ¼ Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 26.6 g |
| Diameter | 36 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#246277 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Nero, bare-headed and togate, seated right, on platform, right; praefectus annonae standing behind; in front, attendant standing left, giving tessera to citizen right; Minerva, head left, holding owl and spear; tetrastyle building to left
Script: Latin
Lettering: CONG II DAT POP
Translation:
Congiarium Secundum Datum Populo
The second congiarium (distribution of money to the civilians) given to the people.
Comment
Source: Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of the Roman goddess Minerva on the reverse side, which was a common motif on Roman coins during the reign of Nero. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts, and was often depicted with an owl, which symbolized her association with wisdom and knowledge. The inclusion of Minerva on this coin may have been a way to emphasize Nero's association with wisdom and his role as a benevolent ruler.
