Caesar, A.D. 50-54
Augustus, A.D. 54-68
Bronze Dupondius
Lugdunum mint, A.D. 66-68
Obv: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P PP
Rev: SECVRITAS AVGVSTI - Securitas, seated on throne, and holding scepter; lighted altar in front of her; SC in exergue
RIC 597 (corrected)
31mm, 11.5g.
Nero was the last of the Julio-Claudians, that is, emperors who attained their legitimacy by being descendants of Julius Caesar and Augustus. His reign is noted mainly for his extravagance and excess, his opinion of himself as a great artist (to the amusement of the Roman public and the consternation of the military) and his persecution of the Christians. Being the last legitimate heir of Augustus, his suicide, under the pressure of open rebellion, in A.D. 69, left a power vacuum that resulted in civil war.
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