Triton XVIII, Lot: 876. Estimate $5000. Sold for $4200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Cyzicus. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Medallion (43mm, 41.04 g, 6h). T. Aelius Eteoneus, archon. Struck circa AD 191-192. AV KAI Λ M AV KOMMOΔOC ANT CЄB ЄVC ЄVT POMAIOC HPAKΛHC, laureate bust right, with lion’s skin tied around neck, club over shoulder / ЄΠI APX T AIΛ ETEΩNEΩC KVZIKHNΩN NЄΩK, Artemis advancing right, holding torch in each hand; altar to right. SNG France –; SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –; SNG Hunterian – (but same obv die as 1213); BMC 237. Good VF, green patina, some smoothing. Very rare.

Over the later part of Commodus’ reign, numerous events suggest the emperor was becoming mentally ill. Commodus thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules, even dressing as the hero at gladiatorial events.