Nero, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 2nd issue, 65 AD.,
Æ Sestertius (34-36 mm / 29,73 g),
Obv.: NERO C[L]AVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P , laureate head right, small (early form) globe at point of bust.
Rev.: S - C , to left and right of a trimphal arch, surmounted by statue of emperor in quadriga with Pax to left and Victory to right, a soldier or torch bearer to either side, in niche of arch a helmeted statue of Mars holding spear and shield, arch festooned with garland and allover elaborately decorated with various figures and battle scenes.
RIC I, p. 175, 392 (common) ; WCN 410 ; BMC 329 ; Coh. 307 .
The "Lost Arch of Nero" is that decreed by the Senate in 58 A.D. to commemorate the Eastern victory of Cn. Domitius Corduba. It was located on Capitoline Hill. No trace of it remains today. It was probably demolished shortly after Nero's downfall.
This monumental triumphal arch was erected by Nero to commemorate Roman military campaigns against the Parthians in Mesopotamia and Armenia. Although not particularly successful in a military sense, with Paetus losing almost his entire army at Randeia in Armenia, the war did end with a peace treaty favorable to Rome that was upheld for nearly fifty years. This coin type is vitally important for architectural historians, for the arch was dismantled after Nero's ignominious end in 68 AD, and is only known through its depiction on the coins.