Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3033 8 August 2014
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Commodus (AD 166-177). AV aureus (19mm, 7.20 gm, 5h). Rome, under Marcus Aurelius, AD 177. IMP L AVREL COMMODVS AVG GERM SARM, laureate and draped bust of Commodus right / TR P II COS P P, two captives seated left and right at foot on trophy of arms; in exergue, DE SARM. RIC (Aurelius) 634. Calicó 2239 (this coin). Mazzini 98 (this coin). Biaggi 985 (this coin). Very rare; the only example that has been offered publicly in at least a decade. NGC XF 5/5 - 3/5.From The Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern. Ex Biaggi Collection (Numismatic Ars Classica 49, 21 October 2008), lot 291; supposedly privately purchased in 1958.Son of the greatly revered Marcus Aurelius (AD 161-180), Commodus was the first emperor born "in the purple" in AD 161. A Caesar from birth, Commodus was made co-Augustus by his father in AD 177. This aureus, which records a victory over the Sarmatian tribes, was struck shortly after the elevation of Commodus. The following years saw further strenuous campaigns against the Sarmatians and Marcomanni, with the intention of creating two new Roman provinces north of the Danube. However, worn out by his exertions, Marcus died on 17 March AD 180, after commending the assembled legions to Commodus as his successor. Freed of his dutiful father's control, Commodus immediately cut a deal with the Germans and abandoned all further plans of military conquest.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD
Commodus (AD 166-177). AV aureus (19mm, 7.20 gm, 5h). Rome, under Marcus Aurelius, AD 177. IMP L AVREL COMMODVS AVG GERM SARM, laureate and draped bust of Commodus right / TR P II COS P P, two captives seated left and right at foot on trophy of arms; in exergue, DE SARM. RIC (Aurelius) 634. Calicó 2239 (this coin). Mazzini 98 (this coin). Biaggi 985 (this coin). Very rare; the only example that has been offered publicly in at least a decade. NGC XF 5/5 - 3/5.From The Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern. Ex Biaggi Collection (Numismatic Ars Classica 49, 21 October 2008), lot 291; supposedly privately purchased in 1958.Son of the greatly revered Marcus Aurelius (AD 161-180), Commodus was the first emperor born "in the purple" in AD 161. A Caesar from birth, Commodus was made co-Augustus by his father in AD 177. This aureus, which records a victory over the Sarmatian tribes, was struck shortly after the elevation of Commodus. The following years saw further strenuous campaigns against the Sarmatians and Marcomanni, with the intention of creating two new Roman provinces north of the Danube. However, worn out by his exertions, Marcus died on 17 March AD 180, after commending the assembled legions to Commodus as his successor. Freed of his dutiful father's control, Commodus immediately cut a deal with the Germans and abandoned all further plans of military conquest.
Estimate: 10000-14000 USD