Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXII 7-8 Oct 2021
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Commodus Æ Medallion. Rome, AD 190-191. M COMMODVS ANTONINVS PIVS FELIX AVG BRIT, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / Sol driving quadriga up bank of clouds to right, holding whip and reins; in upper right field, half-length figure of Lucifer (the morning star) to right, holding torch in both hands; in lower right field, Tellus (earth) reclining to left, raising right hand and holding cornucopiae; in upper left field, trace of Zodiac band; COS VI P P in exergue. Gnecchi II, 4, pl. 78, 4; MIR 18, 1149-1/37; cf. Banti 31/32 (for obv./rev.); Froehner p. 137 var. (bust type); Cohen 70 var. (same). 69.72g, 41mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine; some minor roughness, attractive brown and green patina. Very Rare.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 112, 11 September 2019, lot 635;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton III, 1 December 1999, lot 1106.
This medallion depicts Sol, the Roman sun-god, in his nutritive aspect, as he begins his daily journey which forms the keystone to the harmonious workings of the cosmos. Before him, Lucifer (the 'light-bringer', a divine personification of the planet Venus, also known as the morning star) heralds the dawn with his torch; Sol follows, driving his quadriga up a cloud into the sky, from which he can provide life-giving sustenance to the Earth, represented by Tellus reclining below, gesturing in acknowledgement of Sol's gift and holding a cornucopiae, symbolising the world's natural bounty.
Good Very Fine; some minor roughness, attractive brown and green patina. Very Rare.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 112, 11 September 2019, lot 635;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton III, 1 December 1999, lot 1106.
This medallion depicts Sol, the Roman sun-god, in his nutritive aspect, as he begins his daily journey which forms the keystone to the harmonious workings of the cosmos. Before him, Lucifer (the 'light-bringer', a divine personification of the planet Venus, also known as the morning star) heralds the dawn with his torch; Sol follows, driving his quadriga up a cloud into the sky, from which he can provide life-giving sustenance to the Earth, represented by Tellus reclining below, gesturing in acknowledgement of Sol's gift and holding a cornucopiae, symbolising the world's natural bounty.