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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

Commodus Personified as Hercules

361, Lot: 962. Estimate $200.
Sold for $575. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Commodus. AD 177-192. AR Denarius (16mm, 3.02 g, 11h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. Head right, wearing lion’s skin headress / Club within wreath. RIC III 252; RSC 191. Good VF, toned, faint porosity. Good portrait.


From the Olav E. Klingenberg Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 292 (5 December 2012), lot 395.

Over the later part of Commodus’ reign, numerous events suggest the emperor was becoming mentally ill. A number of sources tell us that Commodus thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules. It is said that in public spectacles he would dress in the manner of Hercules and bludgeon prisoners to death with a club.