Sesterzio¹, zecca di Roma, c. 64 d. C., RIC I 178 (pag. 162), BMC I 131 (pag. 222), Cohen I 37 (pag. 281)

Descrizione sommaria:
D. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P.² Nerone, barbato, con aegis, testa laureata a destra. Bordo perlinato.
R. Sopra AVG-VSTI. In esergo SPOR OST C.³ Vista a volo d'uccello del porto di Ostia. In cima faro sormontato da statua di Nettuno che sorregge uno scettro. In basso il dio Tevere. A destra e a sinistra moli porticati che si chiudono ad arco. Sette navi di varia foggia alla fonda. Bordo perlinato.

1. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=630510 Source Ponterio & Associates Auction  January 2013 N.Y.I.N.C. (08.01.2013) Lot  6067  ( «  |  » ) Estimate  3000 USD Price  3000 USD Description ROMAN EMPIRE NERO, A.D. 54-68. AE Sestertius (21.0 gms), Rome Mint, A.D. 64. RIC-178. Laureate head of Nero right wearing aegis; Reverse: Port of Ostia seven ships within harbor. Mottled green and deep chestnut with a few small chips in the patina. Pleasing detail and a respectable example of this famous and distinctive type issued under Nero.NEARLY VERY FINE.
2. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=490910 Source Baldwin's Auctions Ltd Auction  Summer 2011 Argentum Auction (04.06.2011) Lot  63  ( «  |  » ) Estimate  2000 GBP Price  4600 GBP (~7527 USD) Description ANCIENT COINS. Nero (AD 54-68), AE Sestertius, c.AD 64, NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate bust right, wearing aegis , rev AVG-VSTI, bird’s-eye view of the harbour of Ostia, containing seven ships, with pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune holding sceptre, reclining figure of Tiber below, holding rudder and dolphin, a crescent-shaped pier on left, a crescent-shaped row of breakwaters on right, POR OST between S-C below, 27.15g (RIC 178;BMC 131;C 37). Smoothing in obverse field, dark brown-green patina, very fine and very rare.£2000-3000.
3. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=370000 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 52 (07.10.2009) Lot  346  ( «  |  » ) Estimate  15000 CHF Price  16000 CHF (~15360 USD). Description Part I The Roman Empire Nero Augustus, 54 – 58 Sestertius circa 64, Æ 27.85 g. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head r., with aegis. Rev. AVGVS – TI Bird’s eye view of Ostia’s harbour. At the top pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune, holding sceptre; at bottom, reclining figure of Tiber l., holding rudder and dolphin; below, S POR OST C. To l. crescent shaped pier with portico. To r., crescent-shaped row of breakwaters. In the centre, seven ships. C 37. BMC 131. RIC 178. CBN 299.Very rare. A very attractive specimen of this celebrated issue, well centred on a very broad flan and complete. A bold portrait and a finely detailed reverse, brown patina and about extremely fine / extremely fine. As an inland city of more than one million people during the reign of Nero, Rome relied heavily upon its Tyrrhenian Sea port at Ostia. Antioch, the great metropolis in Syria, was similarly positioned, as it was about the same distance (c. 15 miles) from its Mediterranean port at Seleucia. Though essential to major inland cities, ports and harbours were perhaps the most challenging of all engineering projects, and they were very costly to build and to maintain. It comes as no surprise that when great ports were completed, it was cause for celebration. To Romans, such occasions not only affirmed their international renown as engineers, but also represented a new opportunity to reap benefits in transportation, trade, grain supplies and military applications. The construction of a port at Ostia had been considered by both Julius Caesar and Augustus, but the projected expenses were so daunting that it was not until Claudius came to power that construction began; finally, it was finished during the reign of his adoptive son Nero.
4. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=203607 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 51 (05.03.2009) Lot  871  ( «  |  » ) Price  6400 CHF (~5446 USD) Description Auction 51 Part II The Roman Empire Nero augustus, 54 – 68 Sestertius circa 64, Æ 24.76 g. Laureate head r. Rev. Bird’s eye view of the harbour of Ostia. At the top pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune, holding sceptre; at bottom, reclining figure of Tiber l., holding rudder and dolphin. To the l. crescent shaped pier with portico. To the r., crescent-shaped row of breakwaters. In the centre, seven ships. C 37. BMC 131. RIC 178. CBN 302. Very rare. Green patina with some minor areas of corrosion, otherwise good very fine. Estimate: 8000 CHF.
5. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=17283 Source UBS Gold & Numismatics Auction 78 (09.09.2008) Lot  1490  ( «  |  » ) Price  34000 CHF (~30118 USD) Description ANCIENT COINAGE SPECIAL COLLECTION OF ROMAN IMPERATORS AND EMPERORS ROMAN EMPIRE Nero, Caesar 50-54 AD. No.: 1490 Schätzwert/Estimate: CHF 15000 Sestertius 64, Rome. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head to r. with aegis on l. shoulder. Rev. AVG – VSTI / S – POR OST – C Bird’s eye view of the harbour of Ostia. At top, pharos (light tower) surmounted by statue of Neptune, holding sceptre in l. hand. At bottom reclining figure of river-god Tiber to l., holding rudder in r. hand and dolphin in l. hand. Seven ships in harbour surrounded by crescent of slips or breakwaters. 25,38 g. RIC 178. BMC 131. C. 37. Very rare. Brown patina. Splendid specimen of this highly desired coin. Good very fine. Ex Tinchant Ostia was the port of Rome and mentioned as being Rome’s first colony in the 7th century BC. It was an important port in Republican times and also under Julius Caesar. During the reign of Claudius an artificial port, which can be seen on this coin, was built and inaugurated under the reign of Nero in 54 AD. It was further developed under Trajan. During the latter part of the empire, the harbour silted and the surrounding land was stricken by malaria epidemics, so that in 800 AD the last remaining inhabitants were relocated.
6. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=14348 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 46 (02.04.2008) Lot  514  ( «  |  » ) Price  16000 CHF (~15760 USD). Description. The Roman Empire Nero augustus, 54 – 68. Sestertius circa 64, Æ 28.93 g. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head r., with aegis. Rev. AVG - VSTI Bird’s eye view of the harbour of Ostia. At the top pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune, holding sceptre; at bottom, reclining figure of Tiber l., holding rudder and dolphin; below, S POR OST C . To l. crescent shaped pier with portico. To r., crescent-shaped row of breakwaters. In the centre, seven ships. C 37. BMC 131. RIC 178. CBN 299. Kent-Hirmer pl. 54, 192. Very rare. A very attractive specimen of this celebrated issue, well centred on a full flan and complete. Dark tone with some minor porosity on obverse field, about extremely fine. Ex Naville-Ars Classica XIII, 1928, 1165 and Leu – M&M 21 October 1966, Niggeler part II, 1124 sales. Estimate: 18000 CHF.
7. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=84091 Source Freeman & Sear Auction  Mail Bid Sale 13 (25.08.2006) Lot  426  ( «  |  » ) Price  1500 USD Description ROMAN EMPIRE. Nero (AD 54–68). Æ sestertius (21.53 gm). Rome, ca. AD 64. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head of Nero right / AVGVSTI above, POR OST flanked by S—C below, bird’s eye view of Port of Ostia, with pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune at top, ships in harbor, and Tiber reclining left at bottom. Cf. RIC 178, BMCRE 131, Cohen 37, and RCTV 1953 (all with aegis). Rare. Brown patina. Obverse smoothed and linear planchet flaw at center of reverse. Rough surfaces. Good fine. Ex F. Martin Post Collection. Estimate: $800.
8. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=14779 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 25 (25.06.2003) Lot  382  ( «  |  » ) Price  10000 CHF (~7535 USD) Description The Roman Empire Nero Augustus, 54 – 68 No.: 382 Schätzpreis - Estimate CHF 12000 d=34 mm Sestertius circa 64, æ 27.65 g. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P Laureate head r. with aegis. Rev. AVG – VSTI / S POR OST C Bird’s-eye view of the port of Ostia in the form of two crescent, the one l. bearing a pier with porticus of eleven columns ending in a temple, the other r., enclosing row of ten breakwaters within which large grain ship flanked by six other ships, of which two are galleys; above, at harbour mouth, lighthouse crowned by statue; below, Neptune reclining, holding rudder in r. hand and dolphin in l. RIC 178. BMC 131. C 37. CBN 300. Very rare. Brownish-red patina and very fine / good very fine. Ex NAC sale 4, 1991, 326. As an inland city of more than one million people during the reign of Nero, Rome relied heavily upon its Tyrrhenian Sea port at Ostia. Antioch, the great metropolis in Syria, was similarly positioned, as it was about the same distance (c. 15 miles) from its Mediterranean port at Seleucia. Though essential to major inland cities, ports and harbors were perhaps the most challenging of all engineering projects, and they were very costly to build and to maintain. It comes as no surprise that when great ports were completed, it was cause for celebration. To Romans, such occasions not only affirmed their international renown as engineers, but also represented a new opportunity to reap benefits in transportation, trade, grain supplies and military applications. The construction of a port at Ostia had been considered by both Julius Caesar and Augustus, but the projected expenses were so daunting that it was not until Claudius came to power that construction began; finally, it was finished during the reign of his adoptive son Nero. There are several variants of this famous reverse type, all of which show the harbor from a bird’s eye view, but which vary in the type and positioning of the vessels, which number from seven to twelve. Some fixed features are the breakwater and warehouses that form the perimeter, the Imperial statue at the top, the ocean-god Neptune holding a rudder and reclining on a dolphin at the bottom, and the inscription AVGVSTI POR OST SC. As successful as the harbor proved to be, it was not infallible. Tacitus reports that in 62 a storm sank 200 vessels that were anchored within the harbor, and by the reign of Trajan the harbor had to be greatly expanded. The depiction on this particular coin shows eight vessels, ranging from large commercial ships to a small transport vessel.
9. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/nero/RIC_0178.jpg Historical Coins Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1538. Closing Date: Jun 08, 2005. NERO. 54-68 AD. Æ Sestertius (25.26 gm, 7h). Rome mint. Struck 64 AD. Bidding Closed Estimate $2500 NERO. 54-68 AD. Rome mint. Struck 64 AD. Laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Port of Ostia with eight ships within the harbor, at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune, below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin. RIC I 178; BMCRE -; Cohen 38. VF, brown surfaces, corrosion on reverse. ($2500). From the Tony Hardy Collection. High bid of $3000, $3450 including 15% buyers fee, or approximately €2430, £1650, C$3750, A$3900, on June 8, 2005.
10. http://numismatics.org/collection/1967.153.118 Obverse Legend: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P Obverse Type: Head of Nero, laureate, right, with aegis on neck Date: AD 64-AD 68 Object Type: Coin Axis: 6 Denomination: sestertius Manufacture: Struck Material: ORICHALCUM Weight: 27.69 grams Department: Roman BMC.132 ric.1(2).ner.178.
11. http://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=600&category=13626&lot=611798 Lot: 6068 Estimate: 3'000 USD Starting price: 1'800 USD Price realized: 3'450 USD ROMAN EMPIRE NERO, A.D. 54-68. Sestertius (27.44 gms), Rome Mint, ca. A.D. 64. RIC-181. Laureate bust of Nero right wearing aegis; Reverse: Bird's-eye view of the harbor at Ostia, at the top, pharos surmounted by statue of Neptune left holding scepter, at bottom, reclining figure of the river-god Tiber left holding rudder and dolphin, to left crescent-shaped pier with portico terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building, to right crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips, several ships within the central harbor. Good overall detail, full legends. Dark brown patina with green accents, light to moderate porosity. VERY FINE.
12. http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=197927 900743. Sold For $24500 Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (36mm, 28.76 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR [P I]MP P P, laureate head right / Port of Ostia: seven ships within the harbor; at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune; below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips. While Julius Caesar recognized the value of expanding Rome's port facilities at Ostia, it was Claudius who began actual building in AD 42. As part of the construction, one of Caligula's pleasure galleys was scuttled and filled with cement; above it was constructed a lighthouse surmounted by a statue of Neptune. Although the actual date of completion is not certain, it must have occurred shortly before this sestertius was minted. A further expansion of the facilities was required under Trajan and Hadrian. By the fourth century, however, the port's importance began to diminish as a result of silting. Soon the region became a breeding ground for malaria and was abandoned. AVGV STI above; below, POR OST between S C. RIC I 178; WCN 120. Good VF, brown surfaces, some minor smoothing. Well struck, featuring impressive detail on the reverse. A great example of an iconic piece. Ex Clarence & Helen Zaar Maritime Collection.
13. http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=103915 The Port at Ostia Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 1007. Estimate $7500. Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007. Sold For $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Sestertius (29.00 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 64. Laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Port of Ostia: seven ships within the harbor; at the top is a pharus surmounted by a statue of Neptune; below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin; to left, crescent-shaped pier with portico, terminating with figure sacrificing at altar and with building; to right, crescent-shaped row of breakwaters or slips. RIC I 178; WCN 120. VF, brown patina, traces of red on some high points, areas of light smoothing. Wonderful details on reverse.
    
14. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=111734 Source Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. Auction 37 (10.09.2006) Lot  3455  ( «  |  » ) Price  6500 USD Description Lot 3455 Nero, 54-68 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck 64 AD. Laureate bust of Nero right, aegis at shoulder. Reverse: Port of Ostia with eight ships within the harbor, at the top a statue of Neptune, below is a reclining figure of Tiber, holding a rudder and dolphin; AVGVST SPQR OST SC. RIC 178; BMCRE 131; C. 38. Fine crisp strike, the ships beautifully detailed. Pleasing green-black, green, brown and red patina. Excellent example of this popular rarity. About Extremely Fine / Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $5,000-6,000. Provenance: Allatini Collection: Naville Ars Classica, 1928, lot 13.

Passiamo ora dall'antico al moderno: considerato che la moneta in esame è palesemente un fuso realizzato attraverso un calco, come suggeriscono le evidenti concrezioni superficiali da fusione e la linea di giuntura che si sviluppa lungo la parete del taglio, è ragionevole ritenere che il calco sia stato realizzato, non già nell'antichità, a scopo di falsificazione, ma in era moderna (cioè in un periodo da definire, dal '500 in poi), a scopo collezionistico. Il lettore si domanda se il fuso sia ascrivibile a Cavino. Al fine di valutare questa possibilità ho raccolto dal web (v. link) una serie di sesterzi, repliche della tipologia neroniana RIC 178. Si noterà che le repliche menzionate sono associabili a quattro categorie:

• repliche recenti (v. nell'elenco, gli esemplari da 1 a 11), dagli autori riconosciute come tali; si tratta generalmente di manufatti di qualità non elevata;
• fusi realizzati a partire da monete di Cavino (v. in proposito gli esempi da 12 a 14); si tratta di manufatti che nella scala della qualità e del valore sono secondi solo ai fusi di Cavino e sono tanto più pregevoli quanto più realizzati in prossimità dell'epoca di Cavino;
  
• fusi nello stile di Cavino (v. in proposito gli esempi da 15 a 22); si tratta di manufatti che risentono dell'epoca in cui sono stati realizzati, in quanto il calco di un calco è ovviamente meno pregevole di un calco;
  
• fusi realizzati da Cavino in persona (v. in proposito gli esempi da 23 a 27); si tratta di manufatti verosimilmente di maggior pregio (quello di cui al numero 27 è valutato 400€ come base d'asta).

Nella pagina allegata ho elencato una serie di padovanini venduti come autentici dalla CNG, casa d'aste numismatiche tra le più famose a livello mondiale. Si noterà come i prezzi d'asta di queste monete non superino i 600$ e in genere si aggirino attorno ai 200$. La ragione del prezzo relativamente contenuto rispetto agli esemplari autentici di epoca neroniana che costano dieci volte di più risiede, a mio avviso, nella difficoltà sostanziale di provare, al di là di ogni ragionevole dubbio, la "autenticità" dei manufatti (per quanto l'aggettivo autentico si possa applicare a monete riprodotte). Questa difficoltà non incoraggia all'acquisto i potenziali compratori. In realtà, al di là dello stile, l'unico criterio discriminante obiettivo tra gli autentici Cavino e gli altri esemplari di epoca successiva, sarebbe il colore giallo/nocciola dei primi (v. nota 4).
Veniamo ora allo specifico della moneta in esame: i contorni e i soggetti rappresentati sono poco marcati, la moneta appare lisciata, segno che si presenta come la copia di una copia nella quale i difetti intrinseci dei calchi sono accentuati dai ripetuti passaggi. In più, chi ha prodotto la moneta, per carenza tecnica o per altro motivo, non è riuscito o non ha voluto correggere i difetti di fusione che si osservano sulla superficie. In conclusione ritengo che la moneta in esame abbia una parentela molto lontana con l'incisore del '500, con il che credo di aver risposto alla sua domanda nei limiti delle mie conoscenze.

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio

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Note:

(1) Sesterzio (oricalco). Riferisce  il RIC I (pag. 156) che il sesterzio di Nerone aveva un peso prevalente di 26÷30g. Raccolgo in tabella le caratteristiche fisiche dei sesterzi autentici della tipologia di figura reperiti nel web: