A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman

Roman Imperial Coinage, Nero, Sestertius, Rome, c. 64, laureate bust left, nero clavdivs caesar avg ger p m tr p imp p p, rev. Emperor left on prancing horse, holding spear in right hand, soldier on horseback behind with vexillum over shoulder, s c in field, decvrsio in exergue, 27.61g (RIC 166; BMC 152; C 92). Struck in high relief, some light smoothing in fields, otherwise good very fine, dark green patina £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Provenance: C.S. Bement Collection, Naville Auction VIII (Lucerne), 25-8 June 1924, lot 650; E.G. Spencer-Churchill Collection, Ars Classica Auction XIII (Lucerne), 27-9 June 1928, lot 1585; bt Spink after March 1930.

The Decursio was a military exercise and exhibition of equestrian skills instituted by Nero for the prætorian guard. Some coins show the horseman being led by a foot-soldier – a depiction hardly suitable for the portrayal of an emperor