NERO, A.D. 54-68. AE Sestertius (31.60 gms), Lugdunum Mint, ca. A.D. 65. NGC EF, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5. Porosity. RIC-441. Obverse: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head left, with globus at point of neck; Reverse: S C / PORT AVG, Port of Ostia: eight ships within the harbor; at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune; below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder in right hand and dolphin in left; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips. A VERY RARE and highly desirable historic type, this example is rather well struck on a broad flan that is deep brown-forest green in color. Its only distraction comes in the form of a good deal of scattered roughness. That being said, all elements remain rather clear and distinguishable. Due to the nature of the surfaces, NGC has elected to photo certify this specimen rather than place it in a holder.Under Claudius, construction to improve the facilities at Ostias port began. The growing empire was rapidly becoming more reliant upon shipping around the Mediterranean, and Ostias placement at the mouth of the Tiber--just down from Rome--clearly made it ideal. One of Caligulas "pleasure galleys" was scuttled and filled with concrete, the end result serving as the basis for a pharus (lighthouse) as is on this coin. The construction was likely completed sometime during the middle portion of Neros reign, resulting in the production of this commemorative and artistically ambitious type.</em> Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica 40 (5/2007) Lot # 665 @ 12,000 ChF.
