Latest / Nero: Mad Tyrant or Misunderstood Emperor? — Fexingo History
Nero's Tarnished Silver: The Great Coinage Reform
Emperor Nero's coinage reform of 64 AD reshaped Rome's money and left a mark on the economy for centuries. We trace the debasement of the denarius and aureus, the new mint at Rome, and the iconic 'Nero radiate' portrait. Along the way we meet the mint workers, the changing silver content, and the political message stamped into every coin. Was it shrewd economic management or reckless inflation? We weigh the evidence, from hoards and die analysis to the complaints of Pliny. The episode also touches on the symbolism of imperial portraits, the practicalities of paying the…
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