Commodus. AD 177-192. AV Aureus (20.5mm, 7.35 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 178. EF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 782. Estimated: $ 20 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 22 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Commodus. AD 177-192. AV Aureus (20.5mm, 7.35 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 178. L AVREL COM MODVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / TR P III IMP II COS P P, Castor standing left, holding horse by its bridle with right hand and cradling reversed spear in left. RIC III 648 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 420-12/37 (same obv. die as illustration); Calicó 2337 (this coin illustrated); BMCRE 774-5 (Aurelius and Commodus); Adda 372; Biaggi 1014 var. (bust type); Mazzini 760 var. (same). Fully lustrous, miniscule metal flaw on obverse, scratch on reverse. EF. Struck from artistic dies.

From the Willamette Valley Collection. Ex Long Valley River Collection (Roma XX, 29 October 2020), lot 619; John Whitney Walter Collection (Stack’s, 29 November 1990), lot 54; Superior (7 June 1987), lot 4522; Numismatic Fine Arts XVI (2 December 1985), lot 482; Leu 36 (7 May 1985), lot 284.

This coin was struck in the second year of Commodus’ reign when he was still a young man. Interestingly, the reverse legend proclaims that the young emperor already possessed an impressive résumé and litany of honorifics: thrice had he held tribunician powers, was twice imperator, once consul, and most outlandishly, was already pater patriae–the father of the state. This was an honorific title offered to emperors; however, it was considered customary and idoneous to defer the title until one had achieved one’s own magna facta. The young, vain, and ambitious Commodus, however, seemingly had no such compunctions about deferring the use of the title. Rather, he readily accepted and adopted its usage and immediately had it applied to his coinage, such as on this early specimen.

Commodus had furthermore only been elevated to Augustus the year prior in addition to being made consul (the youngest in Roman history at that time). This followed his previous station as Caesar, which he had received at the young age of five. The coin’s reverse showcases Castor as the patron and protector of the young emperor in his station as princeps iuventutis. This itself was a high honor conferred upon the heir apparent to the throne and was bestowed on Commodus three years before in AD 175. It would perhaps not be unfair to perceive that despite his father’s reputation for reason, Commodus had himself not been tempered in his appetites and excesses, but rather, indulgent. The large assortment of honors that Commodus held at a young age likely did little to moderate him and perhaps helped pave the way to his future megalomania.

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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