Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 165. Estimate CHF2500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Nerva. AD 96-98. Denarius (Silver, 18mm, 3.36 g 6), 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P Laureate head of Nerva to right. Rev. CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM Clasped hands. BMC 25. BN 15. Cohen 20. RIC 14. A superb, toned example with a splendid portrait in high relief. An exceptional piece. Virtually as struck.

Nerva was a very effective stop gap emperor, who was put into place after the assassination of Domitian. By choosing Trajan, a very popular general, to be his successor he defused any further attempt at a coup by the Praetorian Guard or the army.