roman-empire-c-64-67-ad-item
DenominationSestertius
Country / EmpireRoman Empire
Obverse DesignLaureate head of Nero facing right, with legend such as 'NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P'.
Reverse DesignView of the Port of Ostia, depicting the crescent-shaped harbor with seven ships, a lighthouse on the left, a statue of Neptune, and a reclining figure of Father Tiber. In the exergue, 'S C' (Senatus Consulto) and sometimes 'PORT OST'.
Historical Context
This coin commemorates Emperor Nero's ambitious project to expand and improve the Port of Ostia, Rome's primary maritime gateway. The port was crucial for the city's grain supply, and its depiction on coinage served as a significant piece of imperial propaganda, highlighting Nero's contributions to public infrastructure and the welfare of Rome.
