Commodus, as Augustus (AD 177-192). AV aureus (20mm, 6.87 gm, 6h). NGC AU 5/5 - 3/5, edge filing. Rome, AD 192. L AEL•AVREL CO-MM AVG P FEL, laureate, draped bust of Commodus right, seen from behind / P M TR P XV-II IMP V-III COS VII P P, Victory advancing left, wreath in outstretched right hand, palm in left. Calicó 2309. RIC III 237a. Solidly struck and well-centered. Handsome final year portrait. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 99 (13 May 2015), lot 664 This scarce type seems to a record a military victory and an acclamation of Commodus as Imperator for the eighth time in the year AD 192. Yet the Roman frontiers were mainly peaceful during Commodus' erratic, decadent reign, and he certainly never took the field himself in command of the legions. Rebellions were put down in Britain and Africa in the AD 180s, and the Antonine Wall, about 70 miles north of Hadrian's Wall, may have been briefly reocuppied during the reign, but there were no attempts to expand the Roman frontiers during Commodus' sole rule-- indeed, the German conquests of his father Marcus Aurelius were summarily abandoned. Commodus' various acclamations as Imperator (victorious general) were all gained at the behest of his capable generals, who included the future emperors Pertinax and Didius Julianus, or marked the suppression of some perceived revolt or conspiracy.

HID09801242017

© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website