Rare British Victory Commodus Sestertius

CNG 88, Lot: 1353. Estimate $1500. Sold for $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Sestertius (29mm, 24.14 g, 6h). British victory issue. Rome mint. Struck AD 185. Laureate and draped bust right / VICT BRIT in exergue, Victory seated right on pile of arms, inscribing shield set on knee with long stylus. RIC III 452 var. (not draped); cf. MIR 18, 665-6/30 (not draped, VIC BRIT); Banti 487. Good VF, dark green and brown patina, a few light scratches on reverse in exergue. Extremely rare.

During the reign of Commodus, a serious revolt erupted in Britain in AD 184, the causes of which are uncertain. The revolt was quickly put down, and a series of coins was struck to commemorate the event.