Egypt. Alexandria. Commodus, 177-192. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.8 mm, 11.79 g). Dated RY 21 of Marcus Aurelius (= 180/1). Μ ΑΥΡΗ ΚΟΜ ΑΝΤωΝΙΝΟC [CЄ] Laureate head of Commodus to right. Rev. Commodus on horseback to right, preparing to spear fallen foe; L Κ [Α] (date) around. Dattari-Savio 3851 & 9556-7. RPC IV.4, 3377. Geissen 2203. Emmett 2534. Cf. SAVIO A., Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 93-97. Dark brown patina. Flan crack, otherwise, Very fine. Rare.

Ex Leu Numismatik AG 11, 22-23 Febuary 2020, lot 1550.

Let us turn to Commodus, the last and unlamented member of the Antonine dynasty, who counts his reigning years from the beginning of those of his father Marcus Aurelius. Commodus minted tetradrachms almost in bronze, since silver had practically disappeared. On the reverse we see the emperor in military dress brandishing a spear on a galloping horse: his identification is uncertain. We are in his first year of reign (180 -181 AD) and Commodus presents himself in victorious and triumphant form.