Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 132 30-31 May 2022
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Commodus augustus, 177 - 193
Aureus 185, AV 7.22 g. M COMM ANT AVG – P BRIT FEL Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. P M TR P – X – IMP VII – CO – S IIII P P / CONC MIL Commodus in military attire, standing l. between two pairs of soldiers; the inner soldiers clasp hands. C 60 var. (different obverse legend). BMC 198 var. (different obverse legend). RIC 127 (different obverse legend). Kent-Himer pl. 103, 356 (this reverse die). Calicó 2225a (this reverse die).
Of the highest rarity, possibly the second specimen known of this variety of an extremely
rare type. A very interesting issue with a spectacular reverse perfectly centred
on a large flan. About extremely fine / extremely fine
The reverse of this aureus features a remarkable scene in which Commodus-standing suitably taller than the other figures on a dais-personally oversees the shaking of hands by members of two different military units-indicated by the two standards. The scene is reminiscent of the conclusion of sporting events in which each team lines up to shake hands, even when bitter rivals. The difference here is that the two teams in question had the potential to kill each other and/or the Emperor, who appears here in the role of referee. The abbreviated exergue legend makes it clear that the type represents the concord of the soldiers, but the scene has a tense quality that any concord is not entirely the desire of the men shaking hands. Note that Commodus is not passively overseeing the hand shaking, but seems to be extending his arms behind the soldiers in order to bring them together in concord. The concord of the soldiers was a great concern for the administration of Commodus in 184-185, when this coin was struck. Due to the mismanagement of Britannia by the Praetorian prefect Sextus Tigidius Perennis, the legions stationed there mutinied in 184. The revolt was repressed, but Perennis then proceeded to remove the commanders from the offending legions, thereby earning himself the hatred of the men. In response, a large deputation from the British legions was dispatched to Rome in 185 to denounce Perennis before the Emperor. It was claimed that Perennis had plotted to overthrow Commodus and establish himself in the seat of imperial power. Commodus, who was already paranoid about assassination plots, found himself easily convinced and ordered the execution of Perennis. Thus did the son of Marcus Aurelius restore concord to the soldiers of Britannia.
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Aureus 185, AV 7.22 g. M COMM ANT AVG – P BRIT FEL Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. P M TR P – X – IMP VII – CO – S IIII P P / CONC MIL Commodus in military attire, standing l. between two pairs of soldiers; the inner soldiers clasp hands. C 60 var. (different obverse legend). BMC 198 var. (different obverse legend). RIC 127 (different obverse legend). Kent-Himer pl. 103, 356 (this reverse die). Calicó 2225a (this reverse die).
Of the highest rarity, possibly the second specimen known of this variety of an extremely
rare type. A very interesting issue with a spectacular reverse perfectly centred
on a large flan. About extremely fine / extremely fine
The reverse of this aureus features a remarkable scene in which Commodus-standing suitably taller than the other figures on a dais-personally oversees the shaking of hands by members of two different military units-indicated by the two standards. The scene is reminiscent of the conclusion of sporting events in which each team lines up to shake hands, even when bitter rivals. The difference here is that the two teams in question had the potential to kill each other and/or the Emperor, who appears here in the role of referee. The abbreviated exergue legend makes it clear that the type represents the concord of the soldiers, but the scene has a tense quality that any concord is not entirely the desire of the men shaking hands. Note that Commodus is not passively overseeing the hand shaking, but seems to be extending his arms behind the soldiers in order to bring them together in concord. The concord of the soldiers was a great concern for the administration of Commodus in 184-185, when this coin was struck. Due to the mismanagement of Britannia by the Praetorian prefect Sextus Tigidius Perennis, the legions stationed there mutinied in 184. The revolt was repressed, but Perennis then proceeded to remove the commanders from the offending legions, thereby earning himself the hatred of the men. In response, a large deputation from the British legions was dispatched to Rome in 185 to denounce Perennis before the Emperor. It was claimed that Perennis had plotted to overthrow Commodus and establish himself in the seat of imperial power. Commodus, who was already paranoid about assassination plots, found himself easily convinced and ordered the execution of Perennis. Thus did the son of Marcus Aurelius restore concord to the soldiers of Britannia.
View a video of this lot