Nerva Sestertius, Modius reverse
RIC II Nerva 89 · 97 AD · Rome
Obverse
IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P
Head of Nerva, laureate, right
Reverse
PLEBEI VRBANAE FRVMENTO CONSTITVTO S C
Modius standing on three short legs, containing poppy between six corn-ears, three to right, three to left
About This Type
This RIC II Nerva 89 is a sestertius of Nerva (97 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Modius standing on three short legs, containing poppy between six corn-ears, three to right, three to left. Struck in bronze at a standard weight of 23.02g, 33mm diameter.
About the Sestertius
The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.
About the Rome Mint
The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC II Nerva 89?
- RIC II Nerva 89 is a Bronze Sestertius of Nerva (97 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. II no. II Nerva 89.
- How do you identify RIC II Nerva 89?
- The obverse depicts Head of Nerva, laureate, right with the inscription IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P. The reverse depicts Modius standing on three short legs, containing poppy between six corn-ears, three to right, three to left with the inscription PLEBEI VRBANAE FRVMENTO CONSTITVTO S C. Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC II Nerva 89?
- RIC II Nerva 89 was struck in Bronze, standard weight 23.02g, diameter 33mm, die axis 7 h, struck.
Identify your own coins
Upload a photo and get instant attribution powered by our catalog of 80,000+ ancient coin types.
Try Coin Identification