Dupondius - Nero VICTORIA AVGVSTI S C, Victory

Nero's VICTORIA AVGVSTI coinage of this period was tied closely to the Roman campaigns in Armenia, where general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo had been fighting a grinding war against Parthian-backed forces since 58 AD. The resolution of that conflict — a compromise settlement at Rhandeia in 63 AD that allowed Rome to claim nominal victory — gave Nero the propaganda justification for a victory series, however diplomatically qualified the actual outcome was.

Orichalcum dupondii of this reign are frequently found with significant die wear, a byproduct of the mint running hard to supply an economy expanding under Neronian building programs before the 64 AD fire consumed much of Rome's center.