Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 54 15 Dec 2019
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Commodus, 177-192 Medallion 184-185, Æ 37.5mm., 50.79g. M COMMODVS ANTO – NINVS AVG PIVS BRIT Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P – M TR P X IMP – VII COS III – P P Jupiter enthroned facing, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; at his sides, the Dioscuri, naked but for cloak, each holding spear and his own horse by the bridle. At base of throne, eagle. C 473 var. (laureate and draped). Gnecchi 74 and pl. 83, 2 var. (laureate and draped). NAC sale 33, 2006, 513 (same dies)
An imposing medallion with an impressive portrait and a reverse composition of
great interest and fascination. Brown patina and extremely fine
Extremely rare. Several areas of corrosion; otherwise Good Very Fine.
Since Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, were popularly represented as the sons of Jupiter (Zeus), the design on the reverse of this medallion is appropriate, even if remarkable. This seems to be the first (and only?) time the Dioscuri appeared with Zeus on a coin or medallion. The Dioscuri alone, standing with their horses, make appearances on earlier reverse types of medallions of Antoninus Pius (Gnecchi pl. 54, 6) and Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus (Gneechi pl. 71, 6); in each case it appears that the artists based their work on the same statues. Zeus was continually impressed with the bravery and fraternal love of the brothers. In one of the many versions of tales regarding the Dioscuri, Castor died of battle wounds as he had been born mortal, and his brother Pollux, who was divine, beseeched Zeus to allow him to die as well. As one might expect Zeus met Pollux half way, allowing him to take his place on alternate days among the gods and with his fallen brother in the lower world.
An imposing medallion with an impressive portrait and a reverse composition of
great interest and fascination. Brown patina and extremely fine
Extremely rare. Several areas of corrosion; otherwise Good Very Fine.
Since Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, were popularly represented as the sons of Jupiter (Zeus), the design on the reverse of this medallion is appropriate, even if remarkable. This seems to be the first (and only?) time the Dioscuri appeared with Zeus on a coin or medallion. The Dioscuri alone, standing with their horses, make appearances on earlier reverse types of medallions of Antoninus Pius (Gnecchi pl. 54, 6) and Marcus Aurelius with Lucius Verus (Gneechi pl. 71, 6); in each case it appears that the artists based their work on the same statues. Zeus was continually impressed with the bravery and fraternal love of the brothers. In one of the many versions of tales regarding the Dioscuri, Castor died of battle wounds as he had been born mortal, and his brother Pollux, who was divine, beseeched Zeus to allow him to die as well. As one might expect Zeus met Pollux half way, allowing him to take his place on alternate days among the gods and with his fallen brother in the lower world.