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Auction 48 14 Jan 2020
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Nerva. Silver Tetradrachm (15.41 g), AD 96-98. Antioch in Syria, New Holy Year 2 (AD 97/8). Laureate bust of Nerva right, aegis at point of bust. Reverse: Eagle standing facing, head right, wings displayed, on thunderbolt. McAlee 420; Prieur 150; RPC 3477. Incredible portrait. Probably the finest known example. Mint State. Value $3,000 - UP
The Roman emperor Nerva came from a distinguished family that was connected to the Julio-Claudian dynasty through marriage. He served under Nero and was instrumental in uncovering the Pisonian conspiracy in AD 65, and subsequently served under each of the three Flavian emperors in turn. Upon Domitian's assassination in AD 96, the Senate proclaimed Nerva emperor solely on their own initiative, the first such instance of the Senate exercising this prerogative during imperial times. Upon his accession Nerva attempted to appease the Senate by ending Domitian's proscriptions and promising a general amnesty to the conspirators, stating he would not have any senators put to death. Additionally, he paid a large donative amounting to 5000 denarii a head to the Praetorian Guard. However, the Praetorians were dissatisfied, and in October AD 97 they laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage. They demanded that the emperor hand over those responsible for Domitian's death, who were swiftly executed, and then forced Nerva to give a speech publicly thanking them. This event damaged the emperor's authority beyond repair, and shortly thereafter Nerva adopted as heir the popular general of the German frontier, Marcus Ulpius Traianus. With this accomplished, Nerva all but abdicated the throne, dying only three months later (January AD 98).
The Roman emperor Nerva came from a distinguished family that was connected to the Julio-Claudian dynasty through marriage. He served under Nero and was instrumental in uncovering the Pisonian conspiracy in AD 65, and subsequently served under each of the three Flavian emperors in turn. Upon Domitian's assassination in AD 96, the Senate proclaimed Nerva emperor solely on their own initiative, the first such instance of the Senate exercising this prerogative during imperial times. Upon his accession Nerva attempted to appease the Senate by ending Domitian's proscriptions and promising a general amnesty to the conspirators, stating he would not have any senators put to death. Additionally, he paid a large donative amounting to 5000 denarii a head to the Praetorian Guard. However, the Praetorians were dissatisfied, and in October AD 97 they laid siege to the Imperial Palace and took Nerva hostage. They demanded that the emperor hand over those responsible for Domitian's death, who were swiftly executed, and then forced Nerva to give a speech publicly thanking them. This event damaged the emperor's authority beyond repair, and shortly thereafter Nerva adopted as heir the popular general of the German frontier, Marcus Ulpius Traianus. With this accomplished, Nerva all but abdicated the throne, dying only three months later (January AD 98).