EGYPT. Alexandria. Nero, 54-68. Tetradrachm (Billon, 28 mm, 12.86 g, 12 h), RY 10 = 63/4. ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑY ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕB ΓΕΡ Radiate head of Nero to right. Rev. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ / L Ι Draped bust of Serapis to right, wearing kalathos. Dattari (Savio) 251-2. Emmett 133.10. K&G 14.77. RPC I 5274. Struck on a broad flan. Some deposits and light doubling on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


Apostolo Zeno (1668-1750) was a Venetian librettist and humanist who worked as poet laureate in Vienna in 1715-1729, where he also curated the imperial coin collection of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI (1685-1740). His collection was preserved for more than two-hundred years, until eventually being sold by Dorotheum in 1955, thus forming one of the oldest and most celebrated pedigrees in ancient numismatics.