Tanned Nero OTD

[Roma_Orbis]

Just received and cleaned this common Nero As bought for few bucks. Original surface is natural copper without patina, just some oxidized areas, mainly a big patch of cuprous oxides that once covered Nero's face : a Damnatio memoria inflicted by the time! One never know what is to be found under these big patches; maybe pitting everywhere underneath. I was lucky on that one, remnants of patch gives Nero a tanned appearance ; reverse is virtually uncleaned (dark color is original). And I must say the details are not bad, strike is sharp; Victoria is lovely (though while flying, she inadvertently hit some kind of street lamp and her shield was damaged ).

As Néron Victoire.jpg

Looks much like the ancient guys could see it in their hands; feels like being in the unique ancient novel Satyricon (time of Nero, action taking place in Southern Italy)!
"Already had the lupanar manageress received her As to pay the room ..." (rest is censored )

While my taste usually goes to nicely patinated pieces, I feel this coin has a weird charm.

Jérôme

[caesavg]

I love it.

[GMoneti]

It might be a common type, but there is nothing common about large Nero bronzes IMO. Few bucks, really? Congratulations. The detail is great, even though there is no patina.

[Roma_Orbis]

Well, 30 € including shipping ... that was a bet; it could well have resulted in Nero having a severe smallpox!! With the underneath surface full of holes.

Jérôme

[AncientDave]

It's a beauty, especially at the price. Thanks to you, Ol' Nero's now looking as handsome as George Hamilton.

[4to2centophilia]

Very Nice. And Roman Bronzes aren't my thing.

Great Obverse and beautifully styled reverse.

for 30 Euros??

[Roma_Orbis]

Originally Posted by 4to2centophilia

Very Nice. And Roman Bronzes aren't my thing.

Great Obverse and beautifully styled reverse.

for 30 Euros??

30 Euros AND an afternoon of plastic surgery by a priceless surgeon ! This poor Nero was struck by this terrible disease; see before:

As Néron avant.jpg

And, to be frank, me and my wallet are no good customer for international auctions; for example I was deadly overbeaten in the last NAC 'R' auction, where I had the vanity to believe that I could grab the nice Antoninus Pius As with elephant rev. (#1535) at more than double the estimate, ultimately won by Curtis boss well over that price. So I have to find other ways to get good coins: ad augusta per angusta; let's find the narrow streets.

Jérôme

[awl11]

Wow, great coin and a fantastic job of cleaning it up. Can you tell us how you cleaned it ?

[BeastCoins]

Jérôme,

I have an example of that type in my collection as well, also without patina:



Nero, AE As, c.65, Lugdunum
NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P
Bare head left, globe at point of bust
No Legend
Victory flying left, hitching skirt with left hand, shield inscribed SPQR in right
S | C across fields
29mm, 10.77g
RIC I, 478 (C)
Ex Jencek Ancient Coins and Antiquities, 2000

I bought it for resale from John Jencek in 200 for something like $125 but even though I don't collect Nero or early bronzes, the reverse was so appealing I couldn't bear to part with it.

You did a very nice job conserving the piece you won, and you didn't even have to tool or repatinate it!

--Zach Beasley

[4to2centophilia]

Originally Posted by Roma_Orbis

And, to be frank, me and my wallet are no good customer for international auctions; for example I was deadly overbeaten in the last NAC 'R' auction, where I had the vanity to believe that I could grab the nice Antoninus Pius As with elephant rev. (#1535) at more than double the estimate, ultimately won by Curtis boss well over that price. .

Jérôme

Looks like he took it at 4x estimate. nice coin.

[Roma_Orbis]

Originally Posted by awl11

Wow, great coin and a fantastic job of cleaning it up. Can you tell us how you cleaned it ?

Just a microscope, some scalpels, and patience; you also need the knowledge of how the surface will react when applying a tool in it, and when going not too far, damaging the original surface level. That is acquired by experience; don't try that kind of work on a nice ex first!

Jérôme

[Roma_Orbis]

Originally Posted by 4to2centophilia

Looks like he took it at 4x estimate. nice coin.

Yeah, something like around 800 Euros as cost price; doesn't look ridiculous seen the piece. Only that I can't afford paying over 800 Euros for all my Antonine. I bought the last one for 1,200 Euros ; this one: http://www.ancients.info/gallery/sho...y.php/cat/3181, Janus reverse.

Jérôme

[Roma_Orbis]

Originally Posted by BeastCoins

Jérôme,

I have an example of that type in my collection as well, also without patina:



Nero, AE As, c.65, Lugdunum
NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P
Bare head left, globe at point of bust
No Legend
Victory flying left, hitching skirt with left hand, shield inscribed SPQR in right
S | C across fields
29mm, 10.77g
RIC I, 478 (C)
Ex Jencek Ancient Coins and Antiquities, 2000

I bought it for resale from John Jencek in 200 for something like $125 but even though I don't collect Nero or early bronzes, the reverse was so appealing I couldn't bear to part with it.

You did a very nice job conserving the piece you won, and you didn't even have to tool or repatinate it!

--Zach Beasley

Zach,

The reverse is indeed great; same engraving style as mine. I have another ex, with same Tiber patina, and detailed Victory, not for Lugdunum mint but for Rome one:

As Néron victoire 2.jpg

Look at her feet! She looks like more wearing middle-ages shoes than being barefoot. But definitely less baroque, a Lugdunum feature, than our 2 coins.

These pieces are all testimonies to the sublime 1st cent. AD style, that can be seen on engraved gems (intaglios, cameos), and that is so obvious on Nero coins. And to follow Mark, our official Greece lobbyist, the engravers were probably all Greek. Nero had a sure taste in choosing the best engravers to work in the imperial mints. Compare the styles of Claudius or the Flavians, against Nero ...

Jérôme

[4to2centophilia]

Originally Posted by Roma_Orbis

And to follow Mark, our official Greece lobbyist, the engravers were probably all Greek. Nero had a sure taste in choosing the best engravers to work in the imperial mints. Compare the styles of Claudius or the Flavians, against Nero ...

Jérôme

In keeping with full disclosure, I am in fact a Paid lobbyist for AGDEB (the Ancient Greek Die Engravers Brotherhood). Former members inlcude Eumenes, Phrygillos, Euainetos, Kleudoros, Philistion and of course Kimon.

Our mission is to promote the highest level of artistic rendering of classical iconography on coins throughout the centuries. Our motto is "Graecus Monetus es Maximus Renderus Magnificus, Romanus Monetus Mediocrus"

Membership is select, however we accept tax deductible donations. All donations can be directed to me through private messaging. We offer the best rates for currency conversion.

AGDEB .......Making Money Beautiful.............

BR

Mark


Do you think I failed Latin in school? I am sure Curtis can straighten it all out.

[BeastCoins]

Originally Posted by 4to2centophilia

In keeping with full disclosure, I am in fact a Paid lobbyist for AGDEB (the Ancient Greek Die Engravers Brotherhood). Former members inlcude Eumenes, Phrygillos, Euainetos, Kleudoros, Philistion and of course Kimon.

Our mission is to promote the highest level of artistic rendering of classical iconography on coins throughout the centuries. Our motto is "Graecus Monetus es Maximus Renderus Magnificus, Romanus Monetus Mediocrus"

Mark

Mark,

Although you are a Greek connoisseur, I'm sure even you can appreciate some of the really fantastic portraiture during the Roman Imperial period



Aureolus under the name of Postumus, Antoninianus, 268, Mediolanum
IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG
Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
VIRTVS-EQVITVM
Hercules standing right, leaning on club set on rock, lion-skin across arm, bow at right
S in exergue
18mm x 21mm, 3.19g
RIC V, Part II, 389 (S)
Ex Triton VIII, Lot 2079, January 2005; Ex Tony Hardy Collection



Marius, Antoninianus, 269, Cologne (RIC), Trier (Mairat), 2nd Emission
IMP C MARIVS P F AVG
Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
SAEC-F_ELICITAS
Felicitas standing facing, head left, caduceus in right hand, cornucopiae in left
21mm, 4.05g
RIC V, Part II, 10 (S); Mairat 235-7; AGK 4b

Enjoy!

--Zach Beasley