Obv. Laureate head of Nerva facing right, IMP. NERVA. CAES. AVG. GERM. P. M.
Coin portraits of Nerva shows a stern and noble emperor, an expression of the political ideology of the time. It distinguishes Nerva from his young predecessor, Domitian, and indicates a strong new political direction. Nerva's features display a prominent 'hooked' nose and pronounced cheecklines, a realistic picture of the emperor in his sixties at the time of his succession. He wears a curly coiffure arranged over his long, furrowed forehead and hollow temples. A ribbon binds his wreath.
Rev. Pontifical instruments, simpulum sprinkler, jug and lituus, IMP. II COS. IIII P. P.