Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 460 29 Jan 2020
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Nerva. AD 96-98. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 27.41 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 97. Laureate head right / Fortuna standing left, holding rudder in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. RIC II 83; Banti 21. Dark green-brown surfaces, minor pits in fields. Near VF.
From the Summer Haven Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 54 (24 March 2010), lot 1094 (hammer CHF 775); Prof. Angelo Signorelli Collection (Part III, Santamaria, 13 March 1953), lot 6.
Nerva's rule proved too easy-going and the Roman army only supported their nonmilitary emperor with surly reluctance. In October AD 97, the Praetorians stormed the palace and forced Nerva to hand over Domitian's killers for execution. This humiliation led Nerva to make his one masterstroke: He formally adopted the popular general M. Ulpius Trajanus as his son and successor, a move which immediately quelled all military tumult and led to a smooth transition of power upon his death four months later.
From the Summer Haven Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 54 (24 March 2010), lot 1094 (hammer CHF 775); Prof. Angelo Signorelli Collection (Part III, Santamaria, 13 March 1953), lot 6.
Nerva's rule proved too easy-going and the Roman army only supported their nonmilitary emperor with surly reluctance. In October AD 97, the Praetorians stormed the palace and forced Nerva to hand over Domitian's killers for execution. This humiliation led Nerva to make his one masterstroke: He formally adopted the popular general M. Ulpius Trajanus as his son and successor, a move which immediately quelled all military tumult and led to a smooth transition of power upon his death four months later.