RIC II Nerva 136
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC II Nerva 136. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Nerva. Mint: Uncertain value. The obverse shows head of Divus Augustus, laureate, right, with the legend DIVVS AVGVSTVS. The reverse shows legend surrounding large S C, with the legend IMP NERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS REST.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 18
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Nerva served as Roman emperor from AD 96 to 98, assuming power at nearly sixty-six years of age following imperial service under Nero and the Flavian emperors. He was declared emperor by the Roman Senate after the assassination of Domitian on 18 September 96. During his brief reign of barely fifteen months, he vowed to restore liberties that had been curtailed under Domitian's autocratic rule before dying on 27 January 98.
This bronze sestertius represents a denomination used in ancient Roman commerce, having originated as a value of two and a half asses and one quarter of a denarius. The obverse commemorates the deified first emperor with the portrait and legend "DIVVS AVGVSTVS". The reverse pairs a large "S C" with the inscription "IMP NERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS REST", marking Nerva's restoration of the coinage type.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Bronze
- Denomination
- Sestertius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Uncertain value
- Authority
- Nerva
Design
- Obverse
- Head of Divus Augustus, laureate, right
- Reverse
- Legend surrounding large S C
- Obverse legend
- DIVVS AVGVSTVS
- Reverse legend
- IMP NERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS REST
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC II Nerva 136
- Denomination and metal
- Sestertius, Bronze
- Obverse legend to match
- DIVVS AVGVSTVS
- Reverse legend to match
- IMP NERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS REST
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.2.ner.136
Varieties
RIC II Nerva 135
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.