Description
Roman Empire. Commodus, 177-192. Aureus 177, Rome. Gold 7.23 g.; 20.45 mm.
Obverse: Bust of Commodus, laureate, draped, right. Obverse caption: IMP L AVREL COMMODVS AVG GERM SARM //
Reverse: Pile of arms: cuirass, shields, spears and other arms. Reverse caption: TR P · II · COS · P · P · // DE GERM
RIC: 633. Example illustrated in Calicó (N.2235).
Very rare type showing cleaning with "hairlines" and remains of soil in the obverse caption, scratches on the portrait as well as a strike on the rightmost shield on the reverse.
Almost uncirculated AU 50-53
Provenance Details
Ex Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge 13 June 1911, Sandeman, 565;
Ex Sotheby’s 28 November 1986, Deceased Nobleman, 93;
Ex NAC 18, 2000, 573 and NAC 24, 2002, 116 sales.
From the Finlay collection.
Comment
This coin, marked "IMP" at the beginning of the obverse caption, was issued in the name of Commodus during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, after his son had been acclaimed "Imperator" in 177. By this act, he was definitively associated with the throne as his father's successor, before taking his father's place on his death three years later in 180. The inscription "DE GERM" celebrates Marcus Aurelius' son as the victor over the Germans.
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