Nero, 54-68. Dupondius (Orichalcum, 29 mm, 14.77 g, 7 h), Rome, circa 63. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P Radiate head of Nero to right. Rev. Façade of the Macellum Magnum: statue of Neptune standing facing on base, prows emerging to left and right, all within cylindrical tetrastyle entrance set on tiered base, upper tristyle story surmounted by ornate conical dome; two-story distyle porch to left; tristyle porch to right. BMC 197. CBN -. Cohen -. RIC 111 corr. (no reverse legend). WCN 184. Very rare without reverse legend. Boldly struck and with an excellent reverse. Smoothed, otherwise, good very fine.



Nero completed his great marketplace, the Macellum Magnum, in AD 59. The structure, its façade shown on the reverse of this coin, sat within Regio II on the Caelian Hill and appears to have had a shrine in the central lower area, which contained a statue of Neptune, and which could be accessed by a handful of steps leading up to it. There were two wings jutting outward from either side of of the central shrine, and an upper story which has a magnificently domed central section. The building was partially incorporated into the church of S. Stefano Rotundo during the potificate of Pope Simplicius (AD 468-482).