A couple of IVSTITIA AVGVST denarii of Nerva

[Roman Collector]

Justitia, by Raphael. Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Justitia

Justitia was the goddess of Justice in Roman imperial culture and the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Dike. She was introduced by Emperor Augustus, making her a relatively young divinity in the Roman pantheon.

Augustus included justice as one of the virtues to be commemorated in his clipeus virtutis, while Emperor Tiberius built a temple to Iustitia in Rome. Subsequent emperors sought to associate their rule with the virtue of justice, and Iustitia came to represent this ideal.

Tiberius issued a series of three medium bronzes depicting the busts of various Roman virtues, among which is Justitia.

Dupondius issued under Tiberius (RIC I (2^nd ed.) Tiberius 46). ANS 1944.100.39280.

Subsequently, Nerva, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Pescennius Niger, Septimius Severus, and Alexander Severus used the goddess's image to declare themselves to be defenders of justice and issued coins depicting the goddess. She may be depicted seated or standing, holding an olive branch or patera and scepter. Although modern depictions of Lady Justice depict her holding a scale, in Roman numismatic iconography, the scale is typically an attribute of Aequitas, not of Justitia.

Nerva

Nerva was Roman emperor from 96 to 98. Nerva became emperor when aged almost 66, after a lifetime of imperial service under Nero and the 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. Later, as a loyalist to the Flavians, he attained consulships in 71 and 90 during the reigns of Vespasian and Domitian, respectively. On 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy involving members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his freedmen. On the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate. As the new ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore several liberties which had been curtailed during Domitian’s autocratic reign. Nerva's brief reign was marred by financial difficulties and his inability to assert his authority over the Roman army. A revolt by the Praetorian Guard in October 97 essentially forced him to adopt an heir. After some deliberation Nerva adopted Trajan, a young and popular general, as his successor. After barely fifteen months in office, Nerva died of natural causes on 28 January 98. Upon his death he was succeeded and deified by Trajan.

Nerva issued three denarii depicting Justitia, which are distinguished by the emperor’s titulature on the obverse:

     RIC 6, reading IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P
     RIC 18, reading IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P
     RIC 30, reading IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P.

I have specimens of RIC 6 and 30 in my collection. Do you have any coins depicting Justitia? Let’s see them! Post comments, coins, or anything you feel is relevant!

Nerva, 96-98 CE.
Roman AR denarius; 3.38 g, 18.0 mm, 6 h.
Rome, Oct - Dec 96 CE.
Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head, right.
Rev: IVSTITIA AVGVST, Justitia seated right, holding scepter and branch.
Refs: RIC 6; BMCRE 13; CBN 9; Cohen 99; RCV 3033.

Nerva, 96-98 CE.
Roman AR denarius, 3.37 g, 16.5 mm, 7h.
Rome, Sept - Dec 97 CE.
Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P, laureate head right
Rev: IVSTITIA AVGVST, Justitia seated right, holding scepter and branch.
Refs: RIC 30; BMCRE 59n.; Cohen 103; RCV –.
Notes: Scarce. Double die match to Pegasi Buy or Bid Sale 153, lot 350, 27 February 2018. Cf. The Egypt Centre, Swansea University no. EC1487; Rauch 10^th E-Auction, lot 305, 14 July 2011; NAC Auction 100, lot 1835, 29 May 2017.

 

[Ryro]

Great work and cool coins RC!

I do need more Nervii in my collection. Here's the man who sneezed and put out the great fire:

And some Justice:

 

[CPK]

Great post @Roman Collector!

I don't think I have Iustitia but here is a Nerva denarius which I've not posted before:

NERVA, AD 96-98
AR Denarius (18.38, 3.36g, 6h)
Struck AD 96. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head of Nerva right
Reverse: FORTVNA AVGVST, Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding rudder set on ground in right hand and cornucopiae in left
References: RIC II 4, RCV 3025
A choice specimen, with attractive toning and a finely styled portrait. Well-centered and struck on a good flan.
From the Tony Chibbaro Collection.

 

Edited March 23 by CPK

[Jims,Coins]

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of NERVA in 97 A.D. Obv. IMP.NERVA.CAES.AVG.TR.P.COS.III.P.P.: laur, hd. r. Rev. FORTVNA.AVGVST.: Fortuna stg. l., holding rudder and cornucopia. RCS #953. RSCII #66 pg. 79. RICII #16 pg. 224. DVM #8. RCVSII #3025.