Nero's Large Bronze Coinage for Egypt

Author(s): RICHARD PINCOCK

Source: The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), Vol. 155 (1995), pp. 266-271
Published by: Royal Numismatic Society
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/42668798
Accessed: 17-04-2020 11:05 UTC

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 266 NOTES

Nero's Large
RICHARD PINCOCK

[plate 48]

INTRODUCTION

The largest bronze denomination in the Roman Alexandri

c. 35 mm diam., was introduced and issued in very limited
Nero's reign. This 'drachm' may have been directly relate
sestertius2 which it resembles in size. It was produced in
during the rest of the first century and examples are known
Otho, Vespasian, Domitian and Nerva. The greatest an
production occurred in the second century under Trajan
especially, Antoninus Pius. After Marcus Aurelius, i.e
production of drachms (now in reduced size) was both spor
and the denomination finally came to an end under Gallien
Aurelian, 270-275).
While it is clear that the drachm as a new denomination in the Roman
coins of Egypt was introduced during the reign of Nero, the exact year has
not been correctly established. This paper reviews the date for the beginning
of the Alexandrian drachm and suggests a change from that accepted in
current publications.

BACKGROUND OF THE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED DATE

The presently accepted date for the first issue of an Alex

arises from an attribution in 1901 by Dattari. He assigned t
coins in his collection to Nero's eleventh year of reign.4 The da
was given through the reading of the Greek letter date as L
1 For a recent general review of Alexandrian coins to ad 69 see A. Burnet
P. Ripollès, Roman Provincial Coinage (London and Paris, 1992), pp. 688fi
RPC). E. Christiansen, The Roman Coins of Alexandria (Aarhus, 1988) (ab
presents a detailed study of the Egyptian coins of Nero.
2 See RCA , p. 309 and appendix I, p. 7, and RPC , p. 690, where this vie
authors of RPC conclude that, since Egypt was a closed economic sy
denominational relationships were important. Christiansen ( RCA), largely b
currency system combined with the need for accounting and exchange, supp
the Alexandrian coinage to the Imperial coinage (with a drachm equal to
3 J. G. Milne, Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins (Oxford, reprinted 1971)
nos. 4327-4329.
G. Dattari, Numi Augg. Alexandrini (Alexandria, 1901), nos. 280, 281.

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 NOTES 267

(corresponding to Egyp
these coins is illustrated
than show the date as L
equated to the period be
68). As is shown by an in
below), the latter reading
that any large bronze c
hand, coins from year f
coins ascribed to year 1 1
there are no 'legs' on the
into an alpha as in LIA
Alexandrian drachms,
denominations of Egypt
than year II.6

KNOWN DRACHMS OF NERO, YEARS 11 OR 14

This error of dating has been inadvertently perpetuated basically bec

of the great rarity of Neronian drachms. The consequential inaccessib
and the usual extremely poor condition of most of the available pieces
prevented the correction of the initial error. For example, RPC (p. x
consulted eleven 'core' collections and found only one Neronian drach
with the Zeus reverse type (and two with the Sarapis reverse type). The Ze
coin is illustrated7 and this shows that it is very poorly preserved and no
could have been read from it. The date given was therefore based on
original attribution by Dattari to year 1 1. A recent detailed study of Nero
bronze coins, which involved the study of the Alexandrian coins in forty-
public collections and in the available hoards, found only the same t
coins.8 The total of known drachms of Nero is so small that they ca
individual and briefly summarized as follows.9

5 There is an enigmatic large bronze of year nine described in RPC (no. 5271, p. 705 and
188) that could be an example of the initial production of the drachm denomination. Such
of introduction would then make this denomination occur five years before the date sug
here; though it appears to have been a 'false start' with an unusual reverse type, Till C
THC OIKOYM6NHC L ENAT in a wreath, giving Nero as 'Saviour of the World'.
6 Christiansen, RCA , pp. 97 and 107, remarks that, although the full range of size
reached in year 1 1 (i.e. the drachm was the last of the denominations initiated), a relatively
volume of bronze coin production occurred during years 13 and 14. The revision of year
year 14 as proposed here for the drachm denomination is more consistent with the g
production of other bronze coins at that time.
7 RPC 5285, pictured on pl. 188, attributed to year 11, and present in the ANS Collec
New York.
8 RCA , pp. 15, 83, and 85.
9 By giving examples that have been published in auction catalogues (which have generally
been overlooked) as well as in public collections, this listing greatly extends the examples over

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 268 NOTES

Type I. Sar apis revers

NEPÍ1 KAAV KAII ZE
Rev : Sarapis seated, le

Example 1-1: Demetr

Attributed to year LIA (year 14) by Feuardent. The authors of RPC

(p. 709) under the listing number 5286, have followed the suggestion of
Christiansen that these coins are best attributed to year II.10

Example 1-3 : Dattari 280

Perhaps arising from the cataloguing error of Dattari on his coin number 281 (see
Example II- 1 below), this coin was also catalogued by Dattari as year LIA.
Unfortunately the coin was not illustrated and cannot now be verified.

Example 1-4: Mabbott 3287 11

The auction catalogue gives this coin as year 1 1 . The dating was apparently taken
from that given by Dattari for his coin number 280 (given as the reference).
However, the illustration of the coin quite clearly shows the date as LIA.

Example 1-5: Kovacs Collection

This coin has the same obverse die (and probably the same reverse die) as
Example 1-1 and 1-4. Note that, since the Dattari collection has been dispersed
and the Dattari coin (number 280) was not pictured in the Dattari catalogue, this
example (or 1-4) could be the Dattari coin (Example 1-3).

Type II. Zeus Capitoline reverse

NEPn KAAV KAII ZEB I"EP AV, laureate head, right.
Rev : ZEYZ KAITETilAlOZ (Zeus of the Capitol), Zeus enthroned left, holding
sceptre topped with a lotus blossom in right hand and fulmen in left hand,
eagle at his feet, small winged Victory (Nike) on top of throne extending
wreath toward head of Zeus. See PI. 48, 1.

those available in published catalogues (e.g. RPC , RCA or J. Vogt, Die Alexandrinishen Münzen
(Stuttgart, 1924)). Except where mentioned (see Example 1-5), each coin that is listed in this
Catalogue has been shown to be unique, i.e, the specific coin itself, a photograph, or cast has
been inspected. With one possible exception (i.e., Examples 1-5 or 1-4 may be the same coin as
Example 1-3) duplication in the listing has therefore been avoided. The author would appreciate
learning of any other examples.
10 F. Feuardent, Collections Giovanni di Demetrio. Numismatique. Egypte Ancienne. II.
Domination Romaine (1872); Christiansen, RCA , p. 83 and n. 101. Ms. Mando Oeconomides has
kindly supplied casts of the two drachms in the Athens collection. Both of these have the Sarapis
reverse and both are of year 14 (LIA). Christiansen pointed out that Demetrio 725, although
catalogued by Feuardent as having a Zeus reverse, has a Sarapis reverse type. However, from
his description from coin number 725, Feuardent was somehow aware that the Zeus type exists.
11 The Thomas Olive Mabbott Collection , Hans Schulman sale (New York), 6 June 1969.

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 NOTES 269

Example II-l : Datt

Attributed to year e
coin (see Pl. I in the
14. The reading b
KAAETATOY) is als

Example II-2: ANS

This coin is illustra
extremely poor con

Example II-3: Harm

This example is nic
that for year 14. T
it is noted that the
the Ko vacs collection.

Example II-4: Sotheby 7914

This example, although cited as 'dated LIA, rev. Zeus seated lefť is nevertheless
referenced to Dattart 281.

Example II-5: Classical Numismatic Group 701 15

This coin was also catalogued as 'year 1 1 ' but this could not be established from
the coin (which is in poor condition). The catalogue reference to Dattari 281 gave
rise to the suggested date. It is noted in the auction catalogue that this coin helps
confirm the reverse legend given in RPC.

Example II-6: Sotheby 26 (Jungfleisch Collection)16 (PL 48, 1)

This coin was catalogued as 'LIA' but still with incorrect reference to Dattari
281. The photograph in the catalogue clearly shows the date to be LIA.

Of the six coins initially attributed to year 11, three are clearly year 14
(1-4, II- 1, II-3), two are unreadable (II-2 and II-5) and one (1-3) was not
illustrated and is now also dispersed. The other five coins of the total of
eleven were initially correctly attributed to year 14 (1-1, 1-2, 1-5, II-4 and
II-6) and all of these have now been verified as year 14. Contrary to the

12 Vogt called this reading improbable and suggested the correct one. The correct reading
(ZEYI KAITETflAIOI) was given in RPC and this has been verified by Mr K. Wetterstrom
through readings made possible with coin II-5 (see below, n. 15) and also with coin II-6.
13 Harmer, Rooke Numismatists, Ltd., Auction Catalogue, 20 May 1972, lot no. 377, New
York. The same coin occurred in the Myers/Adams Auction of 6 Dec. 1973 as lot no. 285.
14 Sotheby Auction Catalogue 28 Sept. 1973, lot no. 79, London.
15 Classical Numismatic Group Auction Catalogue, 2 Sept. 1992, lot no. 701. Mr Kerry
Wetterstrom (of Classical Numismatic Auctions) has privately confirmed that no date could be
established from this coin.
16 Sotheby Auction Catalogue, Jungfleisch Collection, 9 March 1972, lot no. 26, London. The
same coin occurred in the Glendining Sale of 20 June 1984 as lot no. 95.

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 270 NOTES

arbitrary cataloguing o
year 1 1 (based on an a
no verified coins that

HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF THE ZEUS REVERSE TYPE

The discussion above has presented a revaluation of the phy

of Neronian draichms and has led to the conclusion that the mai
introduced in year 14 of Nero's reign. What can be said con
revised dating from the ZEYZ KAnETHAIOZ reverse itself?
This remarkable Alexandrian reverse type, i.e. showing Zeu
and with its descriptive inscription, has been the subject of
comment.17 The inscription ZEYZ KAnETilAIOZ is an unusu
an Egyptian coin of the use of a legend to denote a well know
statue, i.e. the statue of Zeus on the Capitoline hill in Rome. As n
and by Vogt, the type recalls the Jupiter custos aurei and de
in Rome to celebrate Nero's preservation from the conspiracy
well known attempt18 to murder Nero while he was at the C
came to a head on 9 April 65 and at least 19 individuals con
their lives in Nero's retaliation.19
The suggestion of a connection between the production of
with Jupiter reverses and the Pisonian conspiracy is one of
identifications of a relationship between an ancient coin type and
even20. This suggestion can be traced back to the time of J. Vailla
eighteenth century and has been widely accepted, e.g. by Eck
by modern authorities.21
The Zeus on the Alexandrian drachm has the same posture a
(sceptre and thunderbolts) as on the gold and silver Jupiter
produced in Rome from 64-65 and continuing into later years.22
Vogt alludes to a potential problem in relating this coin type

17 RPC , p. 705; Vogt. p. 31. It is interesting to note that, of the six currently
of Neronian drachms with ZEYZ KAITETflAIOZ reverse, three were double p
times (i.e., examples II- 1, 4, 6), possibly for use as a casket token or like (Clas
Group Auction, 2 Sept. 1992, no. 701). The exact use that this imDlies is not
18 Tacitus, Annals XV.
19 E.g. B. H. Warmington, Nero : Reality and Legend (New York. 1969). d.
20 See S. W. Stevenson, Dictionary of Roman Coins (London, 1889), p. 498
parallel production of the two similar coin types at Alexandria, one of Sarapis
perhaps indicates that the Zeus type is not an allusion to happenings in Rom
simply depict an important and similar pair of statues generally known to the
is interesting that the depiction of the statue in Rome apparently had to be furt
the inscription ZEYI K ATIETO A IOI.
21 See, e.g., C. H. V. Sutherland, The Emperor and the Coinage (London, 19
R. A. G. Carson, Coins of the Roman Emūire (London. 1990V r> I S
The larger size of the drachm allows the appearance of the small but distinc
over to crown Zeus with a wreath from her position on the high back of the

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 NOTES 271

to that in Rome. If the

rapid commencement o
given as 1 1) if they are
April conspiracy in N
produced in year 11, the
end of that coinage ye
voyage from Rome to
as much as 3 weeks,23 it
enough to allow the pro
months between April
time of production has
reassignment of the co
Rome, is a more comfor
that these drachms of
'Olympic' series that
projected visit to Egypt
Another aspect of the r
is that it is known tha
time. While it is alway
absence of evidence, th
if the denomination had
However, if the introduc
new drachm denomina
years directly after N

23 L. Casson, Travel in the

24 RCA , pp. 99 and 103.
25 Nb. the isolated and enig
26 I wish to thank Andrew B
Mateo), Mando Oeconomides
casts, or pictures of coins an

The Large B
A. KORSHENKO, I. GORSHKOV and A. J. HOLMES

[plate 48]

The large AE2 coins having a helmeted emperor with bust right and spear
on the obverse, and a long cross between two emperors on the reverse have
been known for a long time. The type appeared first in Sabatier, Monnaies
Byzantines.1 The author described a specimen with the name Theodosius on
1 J. Sabatier, Description Générale des Monnaies Byzantines (1862), pp. 11-12, nos. 23-24,
Pl. V, 11-12 (cited from Tolstoi).

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 PLATE 48

PINCOCK, NERO (1) (enlarged)

KORSHENKO, GORSHKOV AND HOLMES,
VALENTINIAN III (2-3) (enlarged)

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