Smyrna in Ionia, 50-54 AD., Nero or Britannicus Caesar, issued by magistrates Philistos and Eikadios, Hemiassarion, RPC 2476.

Smyrna in Ionia, Nero Caesar / Britannicus Caesar ?, issued by magistrates Philistos (stephanephoros) and Eikadios (strategos), ca. 50-54 AD.,
Hemiassarion / Æ 17 (16-17 mm / 3,38 g), brass, medal alignment ↑↑ (near 0°),
Obv.: ZMYP , legend below bust of a boy (Nero Caesar ?) facing right, dotted border.
Rev.: EΠ[I ΦIΛ]IΣTOΥ / [EIKAΔI / O]Σ , Nike standing r., carrying trophy on shoulder, dotted border.
RPC I, 419, 2476 (Nero Caesar) (92 pieces listed) ; Sear GIC 516 , BMC 14. 270, 283 (Britannicus) ; D. O. A. Klose, Die Münzprägung von Smyrna in der römischen Kaiserzeit, AMUGS X (1987), 223, 37 (Britannicus) ; Klose Type XXXI (Britannicus), 47 ; Lindgren 562 (Britannicus) ; Vagi 650 (Britannicus) .


This coin has been traditionally ascribed to Britannicus, the son of Claudius and Messalina, who was later murdered by Nero in 55. However, the RPC has adduced a number of good reasons for identifying the young bust on the obverse as that of Nero Caesar, and we have followed that identification here (though it should be noted that many scholars still believe the portrait to be that of Britannicus).