The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

330 FREDK. A. WALTERS.
details of most of the sestertii of the same type,
except that the temple usually found at the end of
the quays on the left side is not shown. I believe
that on some sestertii the temple does not appear,
and possibly it may not have been built till after the
inauguration of this great work. The Port of Ostia
type is one of those that appear to have been struck
almost, if not quite, throughout the reign of Nero, and
those struck after its erection are no doubt those that
show the temple. In the Numismatic Chronicle for
1841 (vol. iv, p. 156) Mr. Roach Smith, in describing a
quantity of Roman coins found in the Thames on the
site of Old London Bridge, amongst which were several
medallions, suggests the probability that many of the
coins, and particularly the medallions, were thrown in
as votive offerings at the inauguration of the bridge
or ferry that existed in Eoman times, or when from
time to time it was repaired. In the same way I
venture to suggest that the piece I now describe may
be one of a number specially struck for casting into
the water as votive offerings at the inauguration of
the Port of Ostia. Its condition points to the action
of the sea, and it may have been cast ashore or dredged
up long ago. 8
8 This coin of Nero in its present worn condition shows every
sign of genuineness, but perhaps it is desirable to mention that in
" "
size it recalls certain medallions which have long been
recognized as forgeries ; of these the British Museum possesses
two. The first is of Caligula and his three sisters : Obv. as Cohen, 2
i, p. 237, No. 3, but head bare ; Rev. as No. 4 ; size 50 mm.; weight
1762 grs. The second is of Claudius and Nero Drusus : Obv. and
Rev. as Cohen, 2
i, p. 254, but reading AVGIMPPMTRP instead
of AVCPMTRP IMPPP; size 50mm.; weight 1764 grs. The
style of these is, however, inferior, and it is easy to recognize them
as forgeries. Their weight is also excessive for four sesterces.