Series: Empire - Nerva
Reference: RIC II Nerva_34

Gens and monetary:Cocceia - Marcus Cocceius Nerva
Year and mint:From 96 AD to 98 AD - Lugdunum
Obverse:Head of Nerva, laureate, right - IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR POT II
Reverse:Simpulum, sprinkler, ewer and lituus - COS III PATER PATRIAE

Grade:EF 3.33 g - 6h
Origin:Muenzzentrum. Heinz - W.Muller 2025

Comment:
Nerva belonged to an old and respected senatorial family, known for its legal tradition and for holding magistrates since Republican times. His political prestige and moderation made him the ideal candidate after the assassination of Domitian.
His reign was brief (AD 96–98) but decisive. He restored legality after the excesses of Domitian, limited the abuses of the treasury and, above all, inaugurated the system of adoptive succession by choosing Trajan as heir. With that gesture he opened the stage considered to be that of the “Adoptive emperors” and/or that of the “Five Good Emperors”, which guaranteed the stability of Rome for almost a century.
The reverse shows priestly instruments and respect for official cults. The title of Father of the Nation underlines his role as restorer of order and protector of the State.