RIC II Nerva 39
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC II Nerva 39. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Nerva. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Nerva, laureate, right, with the legend IMP NERVA CAES AVG GERM P M TR P II.
The reverse shows libertas, draped, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and transverse sceptre, pointing up slightly to right, in left, with the legend IMP II COS III DESIGN IIII P P.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 3
- 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 the Roman Empire across a long career under Nero and the Flavian dynasty before being declared emperor by the Roman Senate on 18 September 96, following the assassination of Domitian. Taking power at almost sixty-six years of age, Nerva ruled for barely fifteen months until his death on 27 January 98. During this brief reign, he vowed to restore liberties curtailed under Domitian's autocratic government.
Struck at Rome, this silver coin is a denarius, the standard Roman silver denomination introduced during the Second Punic War. The obverse features the laureate head of the emperor accompanied by the inscription "IMP NERVA CAES AVG GERM P M TR P II". The reverse carries the legend "IMP II COS III DESIGN IIII P P" and depicts Libertas holding a pileus and a transverse sceptre, echoing Nerva's stated policy of restoring liberties across the empire.
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 transverse sceptre, pointing up slightly to right, in left
- Obverse legend
- IMP NERVA CAES AVG GERM P M TR P II
- Reverse legend
- IMP II COS III DESIGN IIII P P
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC II Nerva 39
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP NERVA CAES AVG GERM P M TR P II
- Reverse legend to match
- IMP II COS III DESIGN IIII P P
- 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.39
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.