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Nerva, Emperor after lifetime of Imperial service.


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Marcus Cocceius Nerva was Roman emperor from 96 to 98. He was born November 8, 30 AD, and died January 27, 98 AD. Nerva became emperor when aged almost 66, after a lifetime of imperial service under Nero and the succeeding rulers of the Flavian dynasty. Under Nero, he was a member of the imperial entourage and played a vital part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65.

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Nerva Rome mint 97 AD
AE As, 10.15gr, 27mm RIC 77, Cohen 7, BMC 127
IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right / AEQVITAS AVGVST S-C, Equitas standing left with scales & cornucopiae.

Please post your Nerva coins or anything relevant.

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Nice one @expat!

One of the most interesting questions to consider is whether Nerva was in on the conspiracy to assassinate Domitian. The timing of his proclamation as emperor suggests he may have been.

Nerva_Den.jpeg.f1f91552a3d87df3b6472d219f4ac824.jpeg
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 

Edited by Curtisimo
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nervadidra.jpg.f9a8c21f285eb90ebacfabf9462f6a2a.jpg

Nerva (96 -98 A.D.)

Cappadocia, Caesarea
AR Didrachm
O AVTOKPAT NEPOYAC KAICAP CEBACTOC YΠATΔ, Laurate head right.
R: CEBACTOY TYXH, Tyche standing left holding rudder in right hand and cornucopiae in left.
Cappadocia, Caesarea 97 A.D.
20mm
6.7g
Sydenham 150, SNG von Aulock 6380

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Nice new coin for the collection. At the moment I just have one Nerva...

Type: Billon Tetradrachm, 25mm, 12.7 grams, mint of Alexandria year 96-97 A.D.

Obverse: Bust of Nerva facing right, KAIS SEB AVT NEPOVAS

Reverse: Agathodaemon serpent coiled with head right, holding caduceus and grain ear within coils, wearing the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt. In exergue, LA.

Reference: Milne 542, Dattari 638 This coin is listed as "rare". 

nervatet.jpg.749ba1ba5eaf86d03490315aa4e65ec3.jpg

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16 minutes ago, Curtisimo said:

Nice one @expat!

One of the most interesting questions to consider is whether Nerva was in on the conspiracy to assassinate Domitian. The timing of his proclamation as emperor suggests he may have been.

Nerva_Den.jpeg.f1f91552a3d87df3b6472d219f4ac824.jpeg
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 

I tend to agree with you. His constant desire for recognition and his insistance on being addressed as Lord and God, and his micro-management of finances, Domitian became a very unliked person in the Senate. A detailed description of the conspiracy and assassination by Suetonius doesn´t name Nerva specifically, but "various Palace officials" among others, could easily have included Nerva.

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I have a Nerva as 

image.png.5923dae5f8ac9dc99a2593b5e99e99a5.png

27 mm, 9,76 g.
Nerva 96-98. Æ as. Rome. 97 AD.
[IMP NERVA] CAES AVG P M [TR P II COS III P P], head of Nerva, laureate, right / LIBERT[AS PVBLICA] S C, Libertas, draped, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and short sceptre, pointing up slightly to right, in left hand.
RIC II Nerva 100 (as).
There are 3 other similar coins in RIC.

Bought mainly for the portrait. 

Also a denarius with one of my favorite reverse types 

image.png.1a55ddaaf10582f0d6759ec5991a37db.png

19 mm, 2,78 g.
Nerva 96-98 AD. AR denarius. Rome. 97 AD.
IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT, head of Nerva, laureate, right / COS III PATER PATRIAE, simpulum, sprinkler, ewer and lituus (simpulum, aspegillum, jug, lituus).
RIC II Nerva 24 (denarius); RSC 48.

 

This small quadrans is also a Nerva coin. 

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15,3 mm, 2,24 g.
Nerva 96-98 AD. Ӕ quadrans. Rome. 98 AD.
IMP NERVA CAES AVG, modius containing four corn-ears / SC, winged caduceus upright.
RIC II Nerva 113.

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Nice coins !

 

Here is my Nerva from Alexandria

normal_Nerva_01_0.jpg.f46fae1df791b642cf03ee9f426684b7.jpg

Nerva
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: AVT NEPOVAΣ KAIΣ ΣEB, Laureate bust right.
Rev.: L - A=year 1 (96/97), Alexandria with elephant headdress
Billon, 12.43g, 26mm.
Ref.: Dattari 630, Kampmann/Ganschow 26.3

 

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I have only two Nerva coins in my life - one Denarius issue from lifetime of Nerva…

 

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Imperator Nerva Caesar Augustus; Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 97 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.42g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II Nerva 24; Provenance: Ex Classical Numismatics CNG USA; Obverse: Head of Nerva, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT for Imperator Nerva Caesar Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate (Imperator Nerva, Caesar, Augustus, high priest, holder of tribunician power); Reverse: Priestly emblems: simpulum, aspergillum, guttus, and lituus. The Inscription reads: COS III PATER PATRIAE for Consul Tertius, Pater Patriae (Consul for the third time, father of the nation).

 
And a rare Divus Nerva from the „good emperor“ series, possibly minted under Trajanus Decius. 
 
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Divus Nerva under Trajanus Decius; Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 250/251 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 3.76g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Trajan Decius 84b; Provenance: Ex Gorny und Mosch Collection; Obverse: Head of Divus Nerva with radiant crown to the right. The Inscription reads: DIVO AVGVSTO; Reverse: Rectangular altar, with four panels in front, lighted. The Inscription reads: CONSECRATIO.

 

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13 minutes ago, Prieure de Sion said:

I have only two Nerva coins in my life - one Denarius issue from lifetime of Nerva…

 

IMG_2582.png.e15b2cc46074e622541e27e903a66bf9.png

Imperator Nerva Caesar Augustus; Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 97 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.42g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II Nerva 24; Provenance: Ex Classical Numismatics CNG USA; Obverse: Head of Nerva, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT for Imperator Nerva Caesar Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate (Imperator Nerva, Caesar, Augustus, high priest, holder of tribunician power); Reverse: Priestly emblems: simpulum, aspergillum, guttus, and lituus. The Inscription reads: COS III PATER PATRIAE for Consul Tertius, Pater Patriae (Consul for the third time, father of the nation).

 
And a rare Divus Nerva from the „good emperor“ series, possibly minted under Trajanus Decius. 
 
IMG_2583.png.d69e0456bcdb317d60b9d3c23af015c0.png

Divus Nerva under Trajanus Decius; Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 250/251 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 3.76g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Trajan Decius 84b; Provenance: Ex Gorny und Mosch Collection; Obverse: Head of Divus Nerva with radiant crown to the right. The Inscription reads: DIVO AVGVSTO; Reverse: Rectangular altar, with four panels in front, lighted. The Inscription reads: CONSECRATIO.

 

Great coins. Quick question for you @Prieure de Sion -any idea of the volume of CONSECRATIO coins struck under Decius? I've seen them rarely for sale even individually, but I know a couple of folks (one on the forum, can't recall whom)  have most or all of them. Even Commodus was DIVO COMMODO as I recall...

Edited by Ancient Coin Hunter
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30 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Great coins. Quick question for you @Prieure de Sion -any idea of the volume of CONSECRATIO coins struck under Decius? I've seen them rarely for sale even individually, but I know a couple of folks (one on the forum, can't recall whom)  have most or all of them. Even Commodus was DIVO COMMODO as I recall...

Thanks!

Here is a good overview:

http://sonic.net/~marius1/mysite/DIVI Series.htm
 

In the end, the only thing that is unclear is who had the series issued. From Philippus Arabs, Trajanus Decius to Trebonianus Gallus, everything is possible.

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"I have done nothing that would prevent me laying down the imperial office and returning to private life in safety."

-- Marcus Cocceius Nerva

NervaLIBERTASPVBLICAas.jpg.81d335c4ab4631f4aee34a111f0d3ad2.jpg

Nerva, AD 96-98.
Roman Æ as, 11.96 g, 26.3 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 97.
Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, radiate head, right.
Rev: LIBERTAS PVBLICA S C, Libertas standing left, holding pileus and scepter.
Refs: RIC 86; BMCRE 131; Cohen 115; RCV --; ERIC II 152.

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Only two Nervas for me. Both have impressive noses, though.

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.

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Nerva AR Denarius, Rome Jan-Sep 97 AD. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP NERVA CAES AVG PM TR P COS III P P/ Rev. Fortuna standing left holding rudder & cornucopiae, R FORTVNA AVGVST. RIC II-1 Nerva 16 (2007 ed.); old RIC II 16 (1926 ed.), RSC II 66. 18.6 mm., 3.45 g.

image.jpeg.8c16371e5ecc934fc953658e16915cfc.jpeg

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Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Nerva, AD 96-98. Billon Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.99g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 96/97). Obv: ΑΥΤ ΝΕΡΟΥΑⳞ ΚΑΙⳞ ⳞΕΒ; Laureate head right. Rev: Eagle standing right, wings gathered; L A (date) across field. Ref: Köln 429-30; Dattari (Savio) 639; K&G 26.1; RPC III 4113 (27 specimens); Emmett 361.1 (R1).  Near Very Fine. Red-brown toning. Ex CNG e514 (20 Apr 2022), Lot 337. image.jpeg.b2031ec84c574fef1abd829f4d31fa4c.jpeg

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Heavily worn, but I like it. The portrait is still pretty good, and the obverse especially has some really nice golden/rainbow toning to it. Low grade but good eye appeal.

I wonder how long this coin circulated? As late as the Severan era, perhaps? That is an interesting thought. I can imagine someone in the year 200 spotting this worn little gem in his handful of coins, much as I would spot a silver dime or a wheat penny today.

Nervadenariusimplements.jpg.d909f32d3a5095c4d0f6df87608e4512.jpg

 

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My NERVA with a distinctive portrait (a real Roman nose!) and a politically importnt reverse. I've also attached my video which details Nerva's ancestry, political career under Nero and the Flavians, potential involvement in the assasination of Domitian, his reign and its coinage (including my own coin's reverse and many in this thread!), and the circumstances that led to the adoption of Trajan!

 

Photoon08-08-2023at15_48.jpg.54d133677ff4b0588d1efcfb4aa9b581.jpgPhotoon08-08-2023at14_352.jpg.dae30b3a9b172632b606a38387f2c01c.jpg

 

 

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I just acquired this denarius from Nerva, struck in 98 (RIC II 43, Cohen 89, BMC 66, CBN 49).
The standing Libertas on the reverse side could be better, but I like coins where all letters are readable. For me, the obverse has an appealing portrait and what I also like is the title GERM(anicus) on the obverse. Nerva started using the title GERM after he adopted Trajan as his successor, in late October of the year 97. 
 

Quote

As governor of Upper Germany (Germania Superior) during Nerva's reign, Trajan received the impressive title of Germanicus for his skilful management and rule of the volatile Imperial province.

(source)

As Nerva died on 28 January 98, this would mean this coin type was only produced between 1-28 of January. I'd imagine the coin production could start from October 97 onwards, but RIC says otherwise (production in 98). Any thoughts and/or info about this?
 

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I used to have this high relief, heavy, and well-pedigreed Sestertius (and I doubt i will ever have a better one 🥲😞

Bildschirmfoto2019-12-26um00_23_04.png.15c07eaf60fab7136ca947d4be492e97.png

IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P - laureate head of Nerva right

FORTVNA AVGVST S C - Fortuna standing left, holding rudder resting on ground in right hand and cornucopiae at her side in left.

Sestertius, Rome 01 January – 18 September 97 aD (3rd emission of Nerva)

35,12 mm / 31,20 gr

RIC 83; BMCRE 107-9 and pl. 5, 6; Cohen 67; Sear -, Banti 21 (18 specimens)

From the collections of Arthur Löbbecke (1850-1932), Fritz Reusing (1874-1956), and Paul Schürer (1890-1976);

Auction Hess Nr. 182 (06.01.1926), lot 1115 a, Manfred Olding fixed price list 96 (March 2019), Nr.200, Roma E-sale 113, Lot 775 (28.09.2023)

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