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Wonderful Port of Ostia Sestertius of Nero
1204
Nero. Æ Sestertius (28.94 g), AD 54-68. Rome, ca. AD 64. NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER P
M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust of Nero, aegis on neck. Rev. AVG-VST above, PORT OST in exergue, S
C in upper field, Bird’s-eye view of the harbor at Ostia, containing seven ships within the harbor; above,
pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune standing left, holding dolphin(?) and trident; below, river-god
Tiber reclining left, holding rudder and dolphin; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating
with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips
terminating with figure of a seated nymph. (cf. RIC 181 (rev. legend); BN -; cf. BMC p. 222, note). Dark
green and brown patina. A most attractive portrait of Nero and an excellent example of this popular type.
Extremely fine.
$ 20,000
Ostia, located at the mouth of the Tiber River, served as the maritime port for the inland city of Rome since the seventh century
BC, when it was founded as a Roman colony. Although it was always important for trade, the expansion of its harbor under Julius
Caesar made it the primary conduit for the imported grain from Sicily and Egypt that was critical for the survival of Rome. Under
Claudius work began on a second harbor simply known as Portus (“the Harbor”) and which was completed by Nero. This grand
second harbor on the northern mouths of the Tiber was famous for its pharos (light house), which was built on a foundation created
by sinking one of the hated Caligula’s pleasure barges and filling it with concrete. Unfortunately, the Portus of Ostia was poorly
located and was prone to silting up. Already by AD 113, it was necessary for Trajan to supply the city with an additional harbor.