Sestertius - Nero (CONG II DAT POP; Minerva and Liberalitas) (62-68) front Sestertius - Nero (CONG II DAT POP; Minerva and Liberalitas) (62-68) back
Sestertius - Nero (CONG II DAT POP; Minerva and Liberalitas) (62-68) photo
© Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.

Sestertius - Nero CONG II DAT POP; Minerva and Liberalitas

 
Bronze 24.75 g 34 mm
Description
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
24.75 g
Diameter
34 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-06
References
Numista
N#246276
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Nero, bare-headed and togate, seated right, on platform, left; official seated right on another platform extending congiarium to citizen with small boy behind him; Minerva, head left, holding owl and spear, and Liberalitas on right, holding tessera

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 Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, on one side, and Liberalitas, the Roman goddess of liberty, on the other. This suggests that the coin was minted during a time when the Roman Empire was values of wisdom and liberty were particularly important. Additionally, the fact that it was made of bronze, a relatively inexpensive metal, suggests that it was intended for widespread circulation among the general population, rather than being a rare or commemorative coin.