DR-595 | Crawford: 441/1
Gnaeus Nerius
Cneo Nerius

Gens: Neria
Moneyer: Gnaeus Nerius
Date and mint: 49 BC - Rome


Obverse: Bust of Saturn, right, with Harp on shoulders. Dotted border.
Legend: NERI Q VRB

Reverse: Legionary Eagle; to the left, banner of the maniple of hastati; to the right, principle maniple banner. Irradiated edge.
Legend: L LENT C MARC CO S

Comment: The Neria gens was a family of little relevance in the history of Roma, known almost exclusively thanks to this denarius. Its only documented representative is Cn. Nerius, who served as praetor and moneyer at a time of great political unrest. The currency, therefore, constitutes practically the only testimony of its existence and public activity.

The denarius was issued in the name of the consuls L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus, together with Cn himself. Nerius, to whose family the coinage is attributed. The three aligned themselves with Pompey's party and, as happened with the rest of the official apparatus, abandoned Roma when Caesar advanced with his legions towards the capital. From their refuge in Sicily they promoted new moneyer issues, which has led some numismatists to consider that this piece may also have been minted there.

The message of the coin is clearly military-inspired. On the obverse appears the bust of Saturn, with a harp on his shoulder, evoking the mythical roots of Roma and the protection of its tutelary gods. On the reverse, a legionary eagle flanked by banners conveys the authority and power of the Roman army, at a time when political supremacy depended directly on the force of arms.

Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica (2024)
Price: 8,727 €