Reformation of the Imperial Postal System

329, Lot: 425. Estimate $750. Sold for $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Nerva. AD 96-98. Æ Sestertius (34mm, 25.47 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck AD 97. Laureate head right / VEHICVLATIONE ITALIAE REMISSA, two horses grazing; yoke in background. RIC II 93; Banti 44. VF, dark green patina, light smoothing.

From the Fairfield Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 287 (26 September 2012), lot 422.

Following the assassination of Domitian, Nerva attempted to correct his excesses and relieve some of the burdens imposed on the people of Italy. One of his acts was the assumption of the costs of the imperial post by the Roman government, a burden which had formerly fallen on the municipalities. Though this event is celebrated on this coin, no contemporary writers mention the act.