Ancient Coins: ROMAN IMPERIAL BRONZE: Nero, 54-68 A.D. Macellum dupondius
AE Dupondius, 15.00g. 30 mm. Lugdunum mint, c.64-67 A.D. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP PP. Laureate head of Nero to left. Rv. MAC AVG S C. Frontal View of the Macellum Magnum with a large domed central building (tholos) with winged two- story porticos; male statue in central intercolumniation above flight of steps; decorative columns in the shape of fish flanking the steps. BMC 336. RIC 400. Light green patina with some roughness and minor patina flaking.
The Macellum Magnum (large market) was built by Nero on the Caelian Hill and dedicated in 59 A.D. It was rebuilt or refrubrished after the fire in 64 A.D. The central domed area or tholus is designated for the sale of fish in a typcial Macellum and would have contained a water source and drains. The flanking porticos would have contained a variety of shops on two levels. (See: Richardson, A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome, pp.240-242 and Caradini, The Atlas of Ancient Rome, p.348.)
Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Gorny & Mosch, Auction 232, Munich, October 5, 2015, lot 414
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