As Nero became unpopular with the Roman Senate, the army of Gallia Lugdunensis rebelled against him (68 CE). To contest his authority, coins with his portrait were mutilated with countermarks bearing the initial letters SPQR (‘The Senate and the People of Rome’). Condemned by the Senate as an enemy of the state, his name was removed from inscriptions and his portraits were destroyed or re-carved.
Dupondius
64–66 CE
Brass, 3.1 x 3.2 cm
Given by St. J. Hart, 1963
CM.1497-1963
