ROMAN EMPIRE, Trajan Denarius - Trajan and Nerva (RIC 28)

AR Denarius
Rome 98-99 AD
3.16g

Obv: Laureate bust of Trajan (R)
IMP NERVA CAES TRAIAN AVG GERM P M

Rev: Trajan, togate, standing (L), receiving globe from Nerva (R)
R P COS II P P, PROVID below.

Rare
No examples in Reka Devnia Hoard

RIC 28 RSC 319a


After the revolt of the Praetorians in October 97 AD, Nerva was in need of a popular, youthful and vigourous heir. Stationed on the German frontier, Trajan soon received a handwritten note from Nerva, informing him of his adoption. Trajan was highly respected within the army and his adoption was the best possible remedy against the resentment much of the army felt against Nerva. But Trajan didn't come speeding back to Rome in order to help restore Nerva's authority. Rather than going to Rome he summoned the leaders of the earlier mutiny by the praetorians to Upper Germany. Instead of receiving a promised promotion, they were executed on arrival. Such ruthless actions made it quite clear that with Trajan as part of it, Rome's government was not to be messed with.

Nerva died on 28 January AD 98. His successor's eventual entry at Rome in AD 99 was a triumph. Jubilant crowds rejoiced at his arrival. The new emperor entered the city on foot, he embraced each of the senators and even walked among the ordinary people. This was unlike any other Roman emperor and perhaps grants us a glimpse of Trajan's true greatness.