A Superb Commodus Tetradrachm

355, Lot: 392. Estimate $500. Sold for $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Commodus. AD 177-192. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.72 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 180/1). Laureate head right / Commodus on a galloping horse right, trampling a fallen soldier laying prostrate on his fallen horse left; Commodus thrusts his spear toward the soldier; Commodus’ horse wears an Egyptian headdress and a lion’s head cuirass (breast plate). Köln 2203; Dattari (Savio) 3851 var. (obv. legend); K&G 41.22; BMC 1430; Emmett 2534.21 (R3). Good VF, dark brown surfaces. Rare.

From the Hermanubis Collection.

The first example of this rare type that this cataloguer has seen where the detail on Commodus’ horse is visible, specifically the lion’s head cuirass. The Egyptian headdress that his horse is wearing is also clear.