The Roman Emperor Nero (54-68) found art more interesting than politics. This preference clearly shows on his coins. On the one hand they are surprising for the variegated and high artistic quality of their motifs. On the other hand the emperor liked to be depicted as Apollo – as can be seen on this as. Nero invested a lot of time and effort to learn to play the lyre which he is doing on the reverse of this coin.
Nero paid as much artistic attention to small change as to more valuable coins. Some of the small coins also indicate their value. The digit I on the reverse of this coin distinguishes it as an as.