102: Rome. Nerva, 96-98 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint, 
Closed at:US $20,000.00
May-26-08 
Seller:i-lgoldbergcoinsandcollectibles( 2234) 

 Rome. Nerva, 96-98 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck c. 97 
 AD. Laureate head of Nerva right. Reverse: Two mules grazing 
 in opposite directions; behind, pole, harness, and just 
 visible wheels of upturned cart; VEHICVLATIONE ITALIAE 
 REMISSA, in exergue, SC. RIC 93; BMCRE 19; C. 143; Vagi 1217. 
 Finely centered, superior strike on superb surfaces and metal. 
 A truly exceptional specimen, both in art and preservation, of 
 this historically significant issue. Extremely rare. NGC 
 graded About Uncirculated. 

 This large brass commemorates the assumption by the government 
 of the costs for the conveyance of letters and officials from 
 place to place. In ancient times, information traveled much 
 more slowly than today's system of zeroes and ones; as always, 
 knowledge was king. There was established a complex network of 
 routes; the cost had been paid by city taxes. Nerva abolished 
 this particular taxation and took over the maintenance of the 
 imperial post. While Nerva reigned for only a little more than 
 one year, his wise and just rule accomplished much for the 
 average Roman and began an eighty-year period of the adoptive 
 and Antonine emperors. During these happier times, there was 
 general prosperity and an absence of civil wars. Successive 
 emperors were early appointed and trained to rule well. 
 Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000. 

 Our item number 115757
With kind permission of Ira and Larry Goldberg, Beverly Hills, May 2008