A New Coin That I Am Already Sure Will Be In My Top 10 For 2021

I know that 2021 is only a bit less than half over, but there are several coins I've posted -- my Arcadius solidus, a few Roman Republican coins, etc. -- that I'm reasonably certain will be in my Top 10 for the year.

Here's another one that just arrived today that falls in the same category: I can't really imagine that I'll be purchasing enough coins I like better over the next six months that this one won't still be in my top 10. There's nothing rare or unusual about it (in fact, it's a common type), but I really love the way it looks, both as photographed by the dealer and in hand. In fact, it's one of the nicest examples of the type that I've seen.

Nerva AR Denarius, Rome Jan-Sep 97 AD. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP NERVA CAES AVG PM TRP COS III P P / Rev. Two clasped hands in front of legionary eagle left at top of standard resting on prow left, CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM. RIC II Nerva 15, RSC II (Cohen) 29, BMCRE III Nerva 29, cf. Sear RCV II 3021 (COS II, otherwise same). 18 mm., 3.37 g. Purchased from Patrick Guillard Collection, Paris, France, May 2021.



Nerva's nose doesn't even look ridiculous for once!

Most of the descriptions say that the clasped hands are holding the standard, but that's not what it looks like to me -- I think it's behind the hands.

Please post a coin that you already believe will be in your Top 10 for the year. (I won't hold you to it!)

 

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I agree with "behind".

It would be difficult and awkward for two clasped hands to be actually "holding" a standard.

 

Wow! That is an outstanding example, @DonnaML!

I only have the dexiosis reverse without the standard. It's a rather humdrum specimen.


Nerva, AD 96-98.
Roman AR denarius, 3.21 g, 18.5 mm, 7 h.
Rome, January - September, AD 97.
Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head, right.
Rev: CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, clasped hands.
Refs: RIC 14; BMCRE 25-26; Cohen/RSC 20; RCV 3020; CBN 15.

 

Amazing coin of a pivotal man during a tenuous time for the principit
Funny enough I just recieved my Artemide order last night!
I wrote about the other two of the three purchases here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/3-...-t-a-that-is-julia-titi-venus-reverse.380985/
Here's the lean, mean and green (even more green in real life if you can believe it. Their pic) third wheel:

Nerva (96-98). AE As. Struck 97 AD. Obv. Laureate head right. Rev. Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia. RIC II 77. AE. 10.39 g. 26.00 mm. About VF.
Purchased from Artemide May 2021

 

...blessed are the hand shakers.....very nice Nerva Donna..

 

Nice one Donna, I thought the hands were shaking/clasping like other variations without the standard so the standard should be part of the background?

 

Bravo for your acquisition. And from the Guillard Collection no less. That provenance speaks for the coin.

 

I never heard of him before. Is he well-known?

 

Patrick Guillard is a coin dealer.

 

Nice one Donna! That example does score high in the eye appeal category. Certainly a Top 10 worthy addition. I haven’t bought very many coins this year so my goal is to have AT LEAST 10 coins for the year end list so I don’t have to do a half list again this year. I look forward to seeing your year end choices.

I’m afraid I don’t have the clasping hands type but I’m still fond of my Nerva denarius for the portrait.

 

Sorry for being unclear -- I meant that I never heard of him before I bought the coin from him. I thought from @JPD3's comment that perhaps there was something else I should know.

 

Another handsome Nerva:

Nerva. 96-98 AD. AR Denarius (19mm; 3.27 gm; 6h). Struck 96 AD. Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right. Rev: SALVS PVBLICA, Salus seated left, holding two grain-ears. RIC II 20; BMCRE 48; RSC 134.

 

He's listed as a long time member of the IAPN (International Association of Professional Numismatists) and puts out a monthly publication. He also helped publish a book on older French coinage (authored by Philippe Bouchet). He's also a well known French appraiser & grader of world coinage, aside from being a dealer.

 

Thanks!

 

Fantastic portrait Donna.

 

Nice Nerva! I do not have a Nerva to add, so I will add a likely top 10 - one or two of the 3 that I won in one auction.

 

Can you tell us what they are, please?

 

I wonder what he really looked like.

 

Good Nerva. Very good (not as in VG )
I missed a very attractive Nerva denarius in a recent auction because I had other goals. Not sure if it was the correct decision as the price was very decent.

2021 has been rich in coins for me (actually too rich for my wallet) and I am not sure if this coin will make it to the top 10. Not as good as other Nerva denarii I've seen including on this topic but I like it. My first Nerva denarius and my first coin with pontifical implements.




Nerva AD 96-98. Rome
Denarius AR
19 mm., 2,78 g.
RIC II Nerva 24 (denarius), RSC 48
Date: AD 97
Obverse Legend: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT
Type: Head of Nerva, laureate, right
Reverse Legend: COS III PATER PATRIAE
Type: Simpulum, sprinkler, ewer and lituus (simpulum, aspegillum, jug, lituus)