COMMODUS

Reigned: 177-192 A.D.

  LVCIVS AVRELIVS COMMODVS, born in 161 to Faustina Jr. and Marcus Aurelius, became Caesar on October 12, 166 and co-Augustus with Aurelius in 177. When Aurelius died on March 17, 180 he smoothly took the throne, quickly gave up Aurelius' military gains, and faced a plot against his life led by his sister Lucilla. She and his wife Crispina were exiled and killed in 183. His reign is known for violence and depravity. He was an excellent athlete, and believed he was Hercules incarnate. His cruel insanity led to his murder on December 31, 192 by his Praetorian Praefect and his mistress Marcia.(From MONETA, from www.numus.com)

The Denarii


Silver Denarius 17.9mm (3.21gm) Struck 177-192 A.D. Rome

Obv: M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS Laureate Head right

Rev: TR P VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P Victory standing right, inscribing shield attached to palm, captive at base of palm.

RIC 79, Sear 5671    Tom Mullally Collection

Silver Denarius 17.7mm (2.71gm) Struck 177-192 A.D. Rome

Obv: COMM ANT AVG P BRIT Laureate head right

Rev: P M TR P VIIII IMP VII COS IIII P P Roma seated on cuirass, holding Victory and cornucopia. Arms on ground behind. ROM in exe.

RIC 98a, ERIC 24, Sear 5689, Cohen 660
Tom Mullally Collection

Silver Denarius 18mm Struck 191-192 A.D. Rome

Obv: L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL Head wearing lion's skin, right

Rev: HERCVL / ROMAN / AVGV Legend in three lines across field, divided by a club and surrounded by an oak wreath

RIC 140, C. 190, Van Meter 21    Harry Stewart Collection

Silver Denarius 18mm (3.24gm) Struck 177-192 A.D. Rome

Obv: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT P P Laureate head right.

Rev: MIN VICT P M TR P XIIII COS V P P Minerva standing left holding Victory. To her front, a shield, behind her, a trophy.

RIC 176, BMC 258, Sear 5662  Tom Mullally Collection


Silver Denarius 17mm Struck 190-191 A.D. Rome

Obv: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT P P Laureate head right

Rev: MIN AVG P M TR P XVI COS VI Minerva running right, holding branch, sheild and spear

RIC 222a    Kevin Ingleston Collection


Silver Denarius 16.2mm (2.58gm) Struck 177-192 A.D. Rome

Obv: L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL Laureate head right

Rev: LIB AVG P M TR P XVII COS VII P P Libertas standing front, holding pileus and rod. Star in right field.

RIC 241, ERIC 35, Cohen 288    Tom Mullally Collection

 

The Sestertii

Orichalcum Sestertius 30mm (21.27gm) Struck 177 A.D. Rome

Obv: IMP L AVREL COMMODVS AVG GERM SARM. Laureate draped bust right.

Rev: TRP II COS P P S - C; in ex: DE GERMANIS. Cuirass amidst pile of shields, spears and trumpets.

RIC III 1569 (M. Aur.), SR 1569, VM 169.  Mark Lehman Collection

Orichalcum Sestertius 31mm (18.53gm) Struck 175 A.D. Rome

Obv: L AVREL COMMODVS AVG GERM SARM Laureate head right

Rev: TR P II COS / DE SARM / S C Two Sarmatian captives seated at the base of a trophy

RIC 1571 (M. Aur.), C. 99, Vm167   Harry Stewart Collection

Orichalcum Sestertius 33mm (27.98gm) Struck 179 A.D. Rome

Obv: L AREL COMMODVS AVG TR P IIII. Laureate and cuirassed bust right.

Rev: IMP II COS II P P S - C. Minerva standing left sacrificing over candelabrum-altar and leaning on shield.

RIC III 1601 (M. Aur.), SR 5755, VM 138    Mark Lehman Collection

Orichalcum Sestertius 30mm (20.30gm) Struck 180 A.D. Rome

Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG. Laureate head right

Rev: LIBERALITAS AVG (in ex) P M TR P V IMP IIII COS II P P S - C. Commodus seated left on currule chair atop platform, officer standing left behind him. Liberalitas standing left before, holding abacus and cornucopia, citizen mounting steps to receive largesse.   RIC III 300, SR 5765.  Mark Lehman Collection


Orichalcum Sestertius 28mm (19.41gm) Struck 184 A.D. Rome

Obv: M COMMODUS ANTONINVS AVG PIVS. Laureate head right.

Rev: P M TR P VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P S - C. Securitas enthroned left holding scepter and leaning on hand

RIC III 406, SR 5779, VM 48/1    Mark Lehman Collection

Orichalum Sestertius 28mm Struck 184-185 A.D. Rome

Obv; M COMMODVS ANT FELIX AVG P BRIT Laureate bust right

Rev: TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P Commodus, with a soldier on guard behind him, is seated on a platform overseeing the distribution of donative, Liberalitas stands holding an abacus. A citizen is climbing steps.LIBERAL AVG in exergue

RIC 448    Kevin Ingleston Collection

Orichalcum Sestertius 31mm (17.63gm) Struck 186 .D. Rome

Obv: M COMMODVS ANT P FELIX AVG BRIT. Laureate head right.

Rev: P M TR P XI IMP VII COS V P P S - C. Commodus seated left on curule chair holding globe and scroll, crowned by Victory flying behind.

RIC III 463, SR 5782, VM 155/1    Mark Lehman Collection

Orichalcum Sestertius 28mm (18.82gm) Struck 191 A.D. Rome

Obv: L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL. Laureate head right.

Rev: VOTA SOLV PRO SAL P R COS VI P P S - C. Commodus standing left sacrificing over tripod-altar to right of which victimarius and kneeling attendant, acccompanied by flute-player are about to sacrifice bull.

RIC III 603, SR 5832     Mark Lehman Collection