Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Medallion (39.5mm, 51.80 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 184-185. M COMMODVS ANTONI NVS AVG PIVS BRIT, laureate bust right, wearing scale armor cuirass, paludamentum on far shoulder, viewed from behind / P M TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P, emperor standing left, in full military array, helmet on groundline before right foot, holding Victory on globe in right hand, spear in left. Gnecchi II 83 and pl. 83, 8; Banti 276. Dark brown and green patina, lightly smoothed in fields, some details strengthened, mineralized deposits around edge. EF. An impressive medallion with a splendid portrait.
Apart from normal coinage intended for general commerce, Roman emperors struck large medallions intended as special handouts to high-ranking government and military officials on important occasions, often to mark the beginning of a new year. Commodus was particularly prolific in the striking of large and impressive bronze medallions, this splendid piece included. Both sides depict Commodus in the military role of Imperator, wearing armor worthy of Achilles himself. On the obverse he is shown wearing a contemporary scale cuirass with a row of protective flaps (pteruges), covering his upper right shoulder. Archaeological finds confirm that scale armor was returning to vogue in the late Antonine era, particularly for high ranking officers and cavalrymen. The reverse shows him wearing a plate metal muscle cuirass over a linen doublet called a subarmalis, with layers of pteruges at his waist and shoulders, with his officer's cloak (paludamentum) pinned at his upper chest and hanging behind. His helmet, an archaic Italo-Corinthian model, is at his feet. He holds a reversed spear and a globe surmounted by a statuette of crowning Victory to complete the impression. Ironically, after his return from the German campaign at the outset of his sole reign, Commodus never again took the field -
Apart from normal coinage intended for general commerce, Roman emperors struck large medallions intended as special handouts to high-ranking government and military officials on important occasions, often to mark the beginning of a new year. Commodus was particularly prolific in the striking of large and impressive bronze medallions, this splendid piece included. Both sides depict Commodus in the military role of Imperator, wearing armor worthy of Achilles himself. On the obverse he is shown wearing a contemporary scale cuirass with a row of protective flaps (pteruges), covering his upper right shoulder. Archaeological finds confirm that scale armor was returning to vogue in the late Antonine era, particularly for high ranking officers and cavalrymen. The reverse shows him wearing a plate metal muscle cuirass over a linen doublet called a subarmalis, with layers of pteruges at his waist and shoulders, with his officer's cloak (paludamentum) pinned at his upper chest and hanging behind. His helmet, an archaic Italo-Corinthian model, is at his feet. He holds a reversed spear and a globe surmounted by a statuette of crowning Victory to complete the impression. Ironically, after his return from the German campaign at the outset of his sole reign, Commodus never again took the field -