I have been slowly expanding my Roman emperor collection over the past year. Thought I would share my Nerva denarius. CNG 118, Lot 1049. Nerva. AD 96-98. AR Denarius (19.5mm, 3.81 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 96. Laureate head right / Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia. RIC II 1; RSC 3. Toned, underlying luster, shallow scratches. EF. Well struck, with an excellent portrait. From the Trevor Hadley Collection. Ex Spink Numismatic Circular CX.6 (December 2002), no. RM1110. Nerva (30 – 98 CE) joined the imperial ranks late in life when, at age 66, he was declared emperor by the Senate on the same day as the assassination of Domitian. The first of Gibbon’s “Five Good Emperors”, Nerva’s reign lasted only two years before he died of natural causes in 98. Nerva was born to the noble Cocceii family and served as political advisor and strategist to four emperors: Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. He held no significant administrative or military position before being awarded a consulship in 71 by Vespasian. After that Nerva disappears from historical sources until he receives a second consulship from Domitian in 90. Six years later Domitian would be assassinated in a palace conspiracy and was immediately replaced by Nerva, possibly because the Senate, having witnessed the chaos brought about after Nero’s death a generation before, felt it was important to have a non-controversial emperor put in place quickly to restore stability. Without an apparent drive for imperial conquest or expansion of the empire, Nerva instead focused his efforts on internal matters including improving the condition of the people of Italy. Nerva enacted a number of measures to provide for the populous, including a generous donative to the army, a gift of 75 denarii to all citizens, donations to the poor, and tax relief for the provinces. His benevolent nature ultimately would lead to a dissatisfactory sate of affairs as his reluctance to assert authority led to chaotic governance. Unhappy with Nerva’s weak policies, the Praetorian Guard laid siege to the imperial palace and took Nerva hostage, forcing him to agree to their demands. Realizing his position was extremely tenuous, he appointed Trajan, a figure popular with the military, as his heir. On January 1, 98 Nerva suffered a stroke and 26 days later he died. Nerva was deified by the Senate, and a temple to Nerva was constructed by Trajan.
Yes a very nice example indeed. He had a pretty short reign but he definitely chose the right successor, I just finished my Five Good Emperors set and I recently acquired a Nerva as well, Obv: Bust of the Emperor facing right. Rev: Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.
Choice example, savitale. Never seen one that overweight for his denarii either. Great coin, ArtDeco.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right. R: CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM S-C, clasped hands. 9.23 g I have the clasped hands denarius to match this, another one for my photography "to do" list.
Thanks everyone for sharing your examples! I’m somewhat surprised that we still have a number of these coins to enjoy, considering that they were only produced for two years. I wonder if they come mostly from hordes?
Nerva. 96-98 AD. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.23 gm, 6h). Struck 97 AD. Obv:. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P, Laur. head of Nerva to right. Rev: CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM Clasped hands. RIC 26,RSC 22. Ex. Akropolis Coins
Nerva is certainly an interesting person.. was he a weak choice of the Senate who they knew wouldn't offend anyone, would not upend the status quo, would not accomplish anything and was basically an ineffective leader? Or was he a political genius who manipulated the levers of power - gained the highest office and when he did so ensured the future of Rome by appointing Trajan as his successor? I like to think he knew what he was doing..
Nerva had been a long-time central politician under the various emperors before him, particularly Domitian and Nero. However, he started off as emperor under a precarious relationship with the army, which rightly suspected him of being involved in the conspiracy against Domitian. He made things right in their eyes by presenting them with an embarrassingly apologetic speech and appointing Trajan as his successor, who was at the time an admired general engaging with the Germanic. Nerva died in 98 AD from a stroke and afterwards Trajan forced the Senate to consecrate him. Denarius, Rome January - September 97 AD, 3rd emission, struck shortly before his death 16 x 17 mm, 3.149 g RIC II Nerva 20 (Denarius); RSC (Cohen 134); BMC.48; BNC III Nerva 34; Ob.: IMP NERVA CA(E)S AVG P M TR P COS III P P Head of Nerva, laureate, right Rev.: SALVS PVBLICA Salus, draped, seated l. on throne, holding two corn-ears downwards in extended r. hand, left arm resting on throne
NERVA AE 27mm OBVERSE: DIVOS NERVA AVGVSTVS, laureate head right REVERSE: AVG FEL BER COL IVL, founder plowing right Struck at Berytos, Phoenicia, 98-117 AD by Trajan 12.6g, 24mm BMC 82
Great Nerva coins all. He certainly has one of the most distinctive portraits of all Roman emperors. Roman Empire Nerva (AD 96-98) AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck October AD 97 Dia.: 17 mm Wt.: 3.47 g Obv.: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III PP; Laureate bust right Rev.: SALVS PVBLICA; Salus, seated left, holding grain ears Ref.: RIC II 20
