Egypt. Alexandria. Commodus, 177-192. Diobol (Bronze, 22.20 mm, 8.51 g) dated RY 23 of Marcus Aurelius (posthumous dating = 182-183) Μ ΑΥΡ ΚΟΜΜΟ [ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ ϹЄ] Laureate head of Commodus right. Rev. Lion running right, L KΓ (date) below. RPC IV.4, 3420. Emmett 3605. Dattari 3963 + DS 9675. Milne - . About Very Fine.

Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection D S 9675. Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung 20, 22-24. 05.1997, lot 416.

Another rare bronze diobol, but of Commodus Augustus in the posthumous year 23 of the late Marcus Aurelius (182-183 AD) and third of his reign. The reverse depicts a rampant lion that recalls the sovereign's passion for the role of gladiator that he loved to play in circus fights with ferocious animals, and in particular his victorious struggles with lions that, in the delirium of omnipotence with which he was pervaded, he compared to the labours of Heracles. This specimen with a beautiful brown satin patina comes from the collection of Giovanni Dattari and is registered by RPC IV.4.3420.2.