Commodus. AD 177-192. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.11 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192.

Triton XXV
Lot: 933. Estimated: $ 7 500

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Commodus. AD 177-192. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.11 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. L • AEL • AVREL • CO MM AVG P FEL, laureate and draped bust right, viewed from behind / LIB AVG VIII P M TR P XVII COS VII P P , Liberalitas standing left, holding tessera in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. RIC III 239d; MIR 18, 850-2/32; Calicó 2281 (same dies as illustration); Biaggi 997 (same dies). Lightly toned, underlying luster. Near EF.

From the Menlo Park Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear, 2004.

Various scholars have described the object held in the right hand of Liberalitas as a tessera, an abacus, or a coin scoop. A tessera was a tablet for recording the names of individuals who had received distributions or liberalites from the emperor. The abacus was a counting board. Hunter suggests that the article in the right hand may be a scoop for distributing coins. Whichever of these three is correct, all exhibit the magnanimity of the emperor.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Three – Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coinage through Byzantine Coinage will be held Wednesday morning, 12 January 2022 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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