Nero, as Caesar, 50-54. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.70 g, 3 h), Rome, 51-54. NERO CLAVD CAES DRVSVS GERM PRINC IVVENT Bare-headed and draped bust of Nero to left. Rev. SACERD COOPT IN OMN CONL•SVPRA NVM EX•S C• Simpulum above tripod and lituus above patera. BMC 84. Calicó 441. Cohen 311 corr. (obverse legend omits CAES in error). RIC 76. A few light marks, otherwise, nearly very fine.



The priestly emblems on the reverse of this coin refer to Nero's admission to the four priestly colleges, i.e. the pontifices (symbolized by the simpulum), the augures (lituus), the quindecimviri sacris faciundis (tripod) and the septemviri epulones (patera). These honors bestowed upon the young prince on 5 March 51 were an important milestone in Agrippina's efforts of positioning her son as the future heir to Claudius' throne.