Ancients: Commodus, as Augustus (AD 177-192). AV aureus (20mm, 7.25 gm, 12h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5....

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Calico Plate Coin

Commodus, as Augustus (AD 177-192). AV aureus (20mm, 7.25 gm, 12h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5. Rome, AD 186-189. M•COMM•ANT•P-FEL AVG BRIT, laureate head of Commodus right / VICTO-RIAE-FELICI, Victory, turreted, flying left, diadem in both hands; two shields resting on tablet inscribed CVPP to left. Calicó 2360a (this coin). RIC III -, cf. 196 (denarius). Sharp, lustrous, and artistic - this example has everything a collector could want in an ancient coin, including an interesting reverse type. Extremely rare and surely one of the best Commodus aurei known.

From the Mirabilis Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 141 (7 November 2023), lot 240; MDC Monaco, Auction 5 (14 November 2019), lot 81; Vinchon, Auction (20 November 1992), lot 124; Numismatic Lanz, Auction (7 May 1984), lot 582.

The inscription C V P P on the table represents Consul V Pater Patriae.

The sole reign of Commodus, AD 180-192, is often viewed as the tipping point where the Roman Empire's long decline began. Commodus has thus been featured in novels, plays, and feature films as a villain, most recently in the cinema epics "Fall of the Roman Empire" (1964) and "Gladiator" (2001). Son of the greatly revered "Philosopher Emperor" Marcus Aurelius (AD 161-180), Commodus was the first emperor born "in the purple" in AD 161. Marcus made him co-Augustus in AD 177. He accompanied Marcus on a military campaign against the Germans in AD 178; worn out by his exertions, Marcus died on 17 March AD 180. Freed of his dutiful father's control, Commodus immediately cut a deal with the Germans and abandoned all further plans of military conquest. Returning to Rome, he plunged into sensual pursuits and left governing to a succession of favorites who plundered the public purse and aggrandized themselves. While Commodus continued and worsened the debasement of Roman silver coinage begun by his father, the gold coinage remained of high purity, weight and artistry. The historians Dio and Herodian both describe him as exceptionally handsome, a picture borne out by his coin portraits and sculpture.

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