Bid SheetAuction 144 with CNG & NGSA 8 May 2024
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6 days 6 hr 31 min
Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA 8 May 2024
Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA 8 May 2024
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The Geoffrey Cope Collection of Ancient Greek and Roman Bronzes. The Roman Empire. Commodus augustus, 177 – 192.
Description
Sestertius, Roma 181, Æ 34 mm, 30.67 g. M COMMODVS – ANTONINVS AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust r., with drapery on far shoulder. Rev. TR P VI COS IIII COS III P P S – C Commodus seated l. on platform attended by officer; before him Liberalitas standing to front, head l., holding tessera and cornucopiae; on l., citizen mounting steps of platform. In exergue, LIB AVG IIII
Reference
C 310 var. (not cuirassed)
BMC 453 var. (draped and cuirassed)
RIC 310
Condition
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A superb specimen, perfectly struck on a
full flan with a wonderful green patina. Extremely fine
Provenance
NAC sale 15, 1999, 386
NAC sale 54, 2010, 471
From the Luc Girard collection
Note:
Much like Hadrian reversed the expansionist policies of his predecessor Trajan, so did Commodus, who did not want to pursue his father's plan of forcing the empire's border to the Carpathian mountains by establishing the provinces of Marcomannia and Sarmatia north of the Danube. Instead, not long after Marcus Aurelius died in March, 180, Commodus abandoned the newly annexed territories, patched up a reasonable peace with the northern tribes, and returned to Rome to hold a triumph late in October of that year. With his triumph and accession as sole-emperor, Commodus made a largesse; it was his third, for he had made two during his father's reign. The distribution marked by this sestertius of 181 is his fourth (LIB AVG IIII), and he would make a fifth within a year. The issuance of three largesses in less than about 18 months suggests Commodus was concerned about shoring up his popularity among the people and the army. The reverse type on this sestertius shows the emperor seated upon a platform, accompanied by an officer (perhaps the prefect of the praetorium) and Liberalitas, who holds a cornucopia and a board for counting coins. Below, a citizen is shown on the steps leading up to the platform, his outstretched toga already laden with coins from the largesse.
Description
Sestertius, Roma 181, Æ 34 mm, 30.67 g. M COMMODVS – ANTONINVS AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust r., with drapery on far shoulder. Rev. TR P VI COS IIII COS III P P S – C Commodus seated l. on platform attended by officer; before him Liberalitas standing to front, head l., holding tessera and cornucopiae; on l., citizen mounting steps of platform. In exergue, LIB AVG IIII
Reference
C 310 var. (not cuirassed)
BMC 453 var. (draped and cuirassed)
RIC 310
Condition
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A superb specimen, perfectly struck on a
full flan with a wonderful green patina. Extremely fine
Provenance
NAC sale 15, 1999, 386
NAC sale 54, 2010, 471
From the Luc Girard collection
Note:
Much like Hadrian reversed the expansionist policies of his predecessor Trajan, so did Commodus, who did not want to pursue his father's plan of forcing the empire's border to the Carpathian mountains by establishing the provinces of Marcomannia and Sarmatia north of the Danube. Instead, not long after Marcus Aurelius died in March, 180, Commodus abandoned the newly annexed territories, patched up a reasonable peace with the northern tribes, and returned to Rome to hold a triumph late in October of that year. With his triumph and accession as sole-emperor, Commodus made a largesse; it was his third, for he had made two during his father's reign. The distribution marked by this sestertius of 181 is his fourth (LIB AVG IIII), and he would make a fifth within a year. The issuance of three largesses in less than about 18 months suggests Commodus was concerned about shoring up his popularity among the people and the army. The reverse type on this sestertius shows the emperor seated upon a platform, accompanied by an officer (perhaps the prefect of the praetorium) and Liberalitas, who holds a cornucopia and a board for counting coins. Below, a citizen is shown on the steps leading up to the platform, his outstretched toga already laden with coins from the largesse.