Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 64 21 Mar 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Egypt, Alexandria. Dattari. Commodus, 177-192 Tetradrachm circa 185-186 (year 26), billon 27.5mm., 12.44g. Laureate head r. Rev. L ΚϚ ΒΡΕΤΤΑΝΝΙ The Emperor, laureate-headed, in military dress, standing, facing, head, l., holding Nike on globe and long sceptre; either side, at feet, bound captives. RPC 3456.3 (this coin). Dattari-Savio Pl. 207, 9549 (this coin).
Extremely rare, only three specimens known and two in private hands. Toned, Good Very Fine/Very Fine.
At the age of 19, in 177 AD, Commodus was raised to the rank of augustus and made co-emperor by his father Marcus Aurelius and accompanied him to the Second Germanic war. In 180 AD, once sole emperor after his father death, his kingdom began to show how imperial power could face all kind of disorder. His first decision was to finally bring peace to the people who pressed on the Danube border and give up his father's attempt to dominate the river's northern regions. The war campaigns in Britain were much more complicated. After numerous attempts, in 184 AD, Ulpius Marcellus' intervention succeeded in bringing peace to the area. Commemorative coins minted later show how Commodus awarded himself the title of Britannicus (in corsivo). Even if he was well liked by the Army and the people of Rome because of several donativa and congiaria (corsivo), his attitude against the Augustan and Roman tradition was an element of discord of the Senate towards him. Inevitably, his clashing with its several members was caused by his inclinations, extravagance and religious attitude; he named himself Hercules romanus and claimed to restore Rome with the name of Colonia Commodiana. After his assassination in 192 AD, plotted by his concubine Marcia and some senators and pretorians, he was painted as the worst of tyrants, contemptuous of the Senate of Rome, an advocate of a depraved and bloody regime; consequently, he was punished with the damnatio memoriae (corsivo), and his name was deleted from every monument. Later, during the reign of Septimius Severus, he was by this emperor rehabilitated and deified.
From the Dattari collection. Extremely rare.
Extremely rare, only three specimens known and two in private hands. Toned, Good Very Fine/Very Fine.
At the age of 19, in 177 AD, Commodus was raised to the rank of augustus and made co-emperor by his father Marcus Aurelius and accompanied him to the Second Germanic war. In 180 AD, once sole emperor after his father death, his kingdom began to show how imperial power could face all kind of disorder. His first decision was to finally bring peace to the people who pressed on the Danube border and give up his father's attempt to dominate the river's northern regions. The war campaigns in Britain were much more complicated. After numerous attempts, in 184 AD, Ulpius Marcellus' intervention succeeded in bringing peace to the area. Commemorative coins minted later show how Commodus awarded himself the title of Britannicus (in corsivo). Even if he was well liked by the Army and the people of Rome because of several donativa and congiaria (corsivo), his attitude against the Augustan and Roman tradition was an element of discord of the Senate towards him. Inevitably, his clashing with its several members was caused by his inclinations, extravagance and religious attitude; he named himself Hercules romanus and claimed to restore Rome with the name of Colonia Commodiana. After his assassination in 192 AD, plotted by his concubine Marcia and some senators and pretorians, he was painted as the worst of tyrants, contemptuous of the Senate of Rome, an advocate of a depraved and bloody regime; consequently, he was punished with the damnatio memoriae (corsivo), and his name was deleted from every monument. Later, during the reign of Septimius Severus, he was by this emperor rehabilitated and deified.
From the Dattari collection. Extremely rare.