Commodus. AE 21; Commodus; 177-192 AD, Parium, Mysia, AE 21, 5.89g. SNG Aulock-1337, SNG Paris-1484. Obv: [IM]P [C]AI M AV - COM[ODVS] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r. Rx: DEO ASC SVB around, CGIHP in exergue, Bull standing l. placing r. foreleg in lap of Aesculapius seated r. This is probably the only ancient coin type that refers to veterinary medicine: the 18th-cent. French numismatist Belley, cited in BMC p. 105, suggested that the SVB in its legend should be expanded to "subvenienti", giving the sense "To Aesculapius, the god who helps", as though he had cured a bull with an injured leg!
($525)