Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 132 30-31 May 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Nerva, 96 – 98
Aureus 96, AV 7.52 g. IMP NERVA CAES AVG – P M TR P COS II P P Laureate head r. Rev. CONCORDIA – EXERCITVVM Clasped hands holding legionary eagle set on prow l. C 24. BMC 7. RIC 3. CBN 5. Calicó 957.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very attractive portrait of
excellent style struck in high relief. Good extremely fine
Ex Tkalec sale 22 April 2007, 212.
History is best understood in hindsight, and the Romans of the time could not have known how pivotal an event the murder of Domitian would prove to be. We have since recognised a clean break between the 'Twelve Caesars' and the 'Adoptive' emperors – something that would not have crossed the mind of a Roman living in the transition year of 96. Replacing Domitian was an elderly, childless senator named Marcus Cocceius Nerva, who was descended from a long line of successful lawyers. His reign was not remarkable, but it served as a buffer between the dynastic nature of the previous century and the 'adoptive' character of the era that followed. Nerva's reign was one of moderation and tolerance in comparison with that of his predecessor, and had he been a younger, more energetic man – perhaps with an heir – it is hard to predict how the fate of Rome might have been altered. Instead, it more or less continued along its militant and expansionist path throughout the reign of Trajan, only to be briefly curtailed under Hadrian, and restored out of necessity by later emperors.
Graded AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5, NGC certification number 6159320-008.
View a video of this lot
Aureus 96, AV 7.52 g. IMP NERVA CAES AVG – P M TR P COS II P P Laureate head r. Rev. CONCORDIA – EXERCITVVM Clasped hands holding legionary eagle set on prow l. C 24. BMC 7. RIC 3. CBN 5. Calicó 957.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very attractive portrait of
excellent style struck in high relief. Good extremely fine
Ex Tkalec sale 22 April 2007, 212.
History is best understood in hindsight, and the Romans of the time could not have known how pivotal an event the murder of Domitian would prove to be. We have since recognised a clean break between the 'Twelve Caesars' and the 'Adoptive' emperors – something that would not have crossed the mind of a Roman living in the transition year of 96. Replacing Domitian was an elderly, childless senator named Marcus Cocceius Nerva, who was descended from a long line of successful lawyers. His reign was not remarkable, but it served as a buffer between the dynastic nature of the previous century and the 'adoptive' character of the era that followed. Nerva's reign was one of moderation and tolerance in comparison with that of his predecessor, and had he been a younger, more energetic man – perhaps with an heir – it is hard to predict how the fate of Rome might have been altered. Instead, it more or less continued along its militant and expansionist path throughout the reign of Trajan, only to be briefly curtailed under Hadrian, and restored out of necessity by later emperors.
Graded AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5, NGC certification number 6159320-008.
View a video of this lot