Lot 1222
Nerva. Gold Aureus (7.21 g), AD 96-98. Rome, AD 96. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, clasped hands holding legionary eagle set on prow. (RIC 3; BN 5; BMC 7; Calicó 957). A marvelous example. Boldly struck and well centered. Pleasing mark-free lustrous surfaces. About extremely fine. Estimate $20,000UP
The clasped hands motif on Roman coins traditionally represents concord between two or more parties. In this case, the presence of the aquila and prow, indicates that one of the parties involved here was the Roman military. The other can be assumed to be Nerva who was chosen by the Senate to replace the hated and recently assassinated Domitian, but whose tenuous authority was threatened by his inability to gain the support of the army. The claim of concord between the elderly Nerva and the army implied by this type belies the fact that opposition from the praetorian guard forced him to adopt Trajan, a Roman general, as his heir.
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| Realized $23,010 |
