Nero, contemporary imitation (probably a Balkan mint ?), imitating the Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 4th-5th issue, struck 66-67 AD. and later,
imitative Æ As (25-27 mm / 8,01 g),
Obv.: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX (retrograde) , bare head of Nero left; clumsy style.
Rev.: S - C , Victory flying left, holding shield inscribed SR (?) ; clumsy style.
for prototypes, cf. RIC 544 / 606 .
This reverse type, Victory holding a small, round shield, records the awarding of the clupeus virtutis, the shield of valor, to Nero for victories in Armenia won by the able general Corbulo. Late in his reign (67 AD), Nero began to fear Corbulo and ordered him to commit suicide.
Originally coins with the clupeus virtutis were struck in celebration of the Senate's award of the 'clupeus virtutis' of Augustus for the legions' success in Persia and Armenia.
Augustus was given an honorary shield called the clupeus virtutis, the shield of virtue, in 27 BC., a few years after Actium.
On the clupeus virtutis was inscribed the following (original lost, text taken from one of several copies):
SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS IMP CAESARI DIVI AUGUSTO COS VIII DEDIT CLUPEUM VIRTUTIS CLEMENTIAE IUSTITIAE PIETATIS ERGA DEOS PATRIAMQUE
"The senate and the Roman People dedicated to the emperor Augustus, son of the divine Caesar the shield for virtue, clemency, justice, and piety towards the gods and his native land".
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