RIC II Nerva 19 (denarius)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC II Nerva 19 (denarius). Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Nerva. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Nerva, laureate, right, with the legend IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P.
The reverse shows libertas, draped, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and short sceptre, pointing up slightly to right, in left, with the legend LIBERTAS PVBLICA.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 4
- 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 office at nearly sixty-six years of age following the assassination of Domitian. Having served under Nero and the Flavian emperors, he was declared ruler by the Roman Senate. His brief reign lasted barely fifteen months, during which he vowed to restore liberties that had been curtailed under the autocratic rule of Domitian.
Struck at the Rome mint, this silver denarius formed part of the standard Roman silver coinage. The obverse features the emperor's laureate head accompanied by his imperial titles as "IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P". The reverse depicts the personification Libertas draped and holding a pileus and short sceptre, accompanied by the inscription "LIBERTAS PVBLICA", reflecting Nerva's public pledge to restore liberties following Domitian's autocratic government.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Nerva
Design
- Obverse
- Head of Nerva, laureate, right
- Reverse
- Libertas, draped, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and short sceptre, pointing up slightly to right, in left
- Obverse legend
- IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P
- Reverse legend
- LIBERTAS PVBLICA
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC II Nerva 19 (denarius)
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P
- Reverse legend to match
- LIBERTAS PVBLICA
- 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.19_denarius
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.