| Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXVII | Auction date: 9 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 541 Price realized: 1,100 USD (Approx. 1,007 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: EGYPT, Alexandria. Commodus. AD 177-192. BI Tetradrachm (23.7mm, 13.07 g, 12h). Dated RY 33 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 192). Λ AIΛ AVP KOM ЄVCЄ CЄ ЄVTV, laureate head right / [Ρ]ωΜΑΙωΝ ΗΡ Α ΚΛЄΑ, Commodus, as Herakles, seated left on rocks, holding Nike in his extended right hand and club and lion's skin with his left hand and draped over his arm; [L ΛΓ (date) in exergue]. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 41.144; RPC IV.4 Online 3572.2 (this coin); Emmett 2532.33 (R5). Toned, high silver content. Good VF. Extremely rare, the second known and superior to the British Museum specimen. From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 428 (5 September 2018), lot 314. Rome had seen its share of deranged emperors by the time of Commodus in the late second century: Tiberius, Caligula, Nero, and Domitian all had their malicious sides but Commodus was different. By the time Commodus ascended to the throne, the old gods were no longer in favor and he attempted to bring back "The Golden Age" and revitalize their worship. It started innocently enough, donning a lion's skin and club and addressing the Senate in the guise of Hercules, then appearing in public in the same attire. But Commodus' megalomania soon took over his persona. He was in excellent physical condition and well skilled with the javelin as well as archery and chariot racing. He first entered the Colosseum driving a chariot of gold dressed as Herakles, much to the delight of all in attendance. He proceeded to slay a harmless ostrich and his popularity soared. This would be the height of his popularity, however, as his depravity would only grow from here. In future games, he is said to have slain 100 bears from the safety of his balcony. In one instance, he assembled a large number of men who had lost their feet, dressed them as serpents, and gave them sponges to throw in lieu of rocks and clubbed them to death pretending they were the gigantomachy. In one of his most heinous acts, when the stadium had run out of beasts, he ordered the first two rows of spectators to be thrown into the arena to be slaughtered by the gladiators. Commodus boasted of slaying over 12,000 men and beasts in the Colosseum. Many of Commodus' exploits in the arena attempted to recreate Herakles' labors Commodus also decided to rename the months and the city of Rome itself. August became Commodus, October became Herculeus, the rest of the months referenced many of his self-conferred titles. After a fire in Rome in AD 191, Commodus renamed the city Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana, or Commodus' Colony, the Roman Senate became the Commodian Fortunate Senate, and Roman citizens became known as Commodiani. He survived two assassination attempts but was eventually killed by his favorite wrestler, Narcissus, who strangled him while in a bath. He had ruled for twelve years. Consignor's note: Emmett records 49 different reverse types of billon tetradrachms issued by Commodus as sole ruler (180 to 192 A.D.). These three tetradrachms are the only ones depicting Commodus as the "Roman Hercules". All are exceptionally rare. They were all issued during the last year of his life (192 A.D.). Prior to this Commodus had already demonstrated considerable depravity and cruelty as described above. However, his mental state continued to deteriorate as verified by these three tetradrachms. In fact, the motivation to issue them likely derived from an active psychosis. In describing Commudus, most historians use the term megalomaniac. This seems to be a gross understatement. His claim and belief in being reincarnated as the "Roman Hercules" can only be explained by a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Estimate: 500 USD |  |
