Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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Commodus. AD 177-192. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.11 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. L • AEL • AVREL • CO MM AVG P FEL, laureate and draped bust right, viewed from behind / LIB AVG VIII P M TR P XVII COS VII P P , Liberalitas standing left, holding tessera in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. RIC III 239d; MIR 18, 850-2/32; Calicó 2281 (same dies as illustration); Biaggi 997 (same dies). Lightly toned, underlying luster. Near EF.
From the Menlo Park Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear, 2004.
Various scholars have described the object held in the right hand of Liberalitas as a tessera, an abacus, or a coin scoop. A tessera was a tablet for recording the names of individuals who had received distributions or liberalites from the emperor. The abacus was a counting board. Hunter suggests that the article in the right hand may be a scoop for distributing coins. Whichever of these three is correct, all exhibit the magnanimity of the emperor.
From the Menlo Park Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear, 2004.
Various scholars have described the object held in the right hand of Liberalitas as a tessera, an abacus, or a coin scoop. A tessera was a tablet for recording the names of individuals who had received distributions or liberalites from the emperor. The abacus was a counting board. Hunter suggests that the article in the right hand may be a scoop for distributing coins. Whichever of these three is correct, all exhibit the magnanimity of the emperor.