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| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 40 | Auction date: 16 May 2007 |
| Lot number: 748 | |
| Lot description: The Roman Empire The mint is Roma unless otherwise stated Commodus augustus, 177 – 193 No.: 748 Estimate: CHF 25000 d=41 mm Medallion 186-187, æ 48.44 g. M COMMODVS ANTONINVS PIVS FELIX AVG BRIT Janiform bust draped and cuirassed of Commodus and Janus l., both bearded and laureate. Rev. P M TR XII IMP VIII COS V – P P Tellus reclining l., resting l. arm on basket filled with fruit and holding with her l. hand long wine branch from which hangs bunch of grapes; her r. hand rests on globe studded with stars, around which pass four female figures, representing the seasons with their attributes. In exergue, TELLVS STABIL. Gnecchi 131 and pl. 87, 1. C 717. Grueber p. 25, 20 and pl. 31, 1. Göbl pl. 3, 23. Kent-Hirmer pl. 104-105, 359 (these dies). Extremely rare. A magnificent portrait of fine style well struck in high relief and an appealing reverse composition finely engraved. Green patina, extremely fine By their nature Roman medallions have bold portraits and very often have unusual reverse types. Yet this spectacular medallion, with its janiform bust and ornate reverse, excels even among medallions, and must have been an object of special appreciation. It was struck during a time of relative stability in the Roman world, and of comparative security and calm in Commodus’ own life. The combined value of its two designs amounts to the heralding of a new ‘golden age’, over which the embattled Commodus was to preside during the year of celebration for his decennalia, or tenth year as emperor. Commodus must have enjoyed the moment this medallion was issued, for his life had by then markedly improved from the chaos of the previous few years. He had survived plots against his life and his regime that were led by his wife, sister and nephew, by senators, and even by his prefect Perennis, upon whom he had relied completely. This brief respite – and indeed his survival – is symbolized by this medallion. The purpose and date of this medallion is easy to divine, as the inscriptions cite Commodus’ 12th tribunician and the themes relate to the New Year’s celebration, which in this case would have fallen on January 1, 187. The emperor’s head is shown in the form of Janus, the god of beginnings and endings; for comparative material we may add, from the same tribunician, a medallion with the bust of Janus as a reverse type, and a medallion and an aureus with a reverse depicting Janus standing within a temple. Like this medallion, these types also herald the dawn of a new era. The portrait that faces right bears the obvious features of Commodus, and the orientation of the bust favors him; the portrait facing left has entirely different features, and it presumably represents Janus. However, it may have been taken – at least in jest – to represent Cleander, the former slave from Phrygia who had risen to become Commodus’ prefect and indispensable servant. The prospect is not out of the question, for Commodus later would represent his concubine Marcia, as an Amazon, on jugate portrait medallions of 192. The reverse is equally remarkable, with a scene representing tellus stabilita, "the earth firmly established". In addition to a general sense of stability and prosperity, the type no doubt also reflects the hope for a prosperous agricultural New Year, as the Four Seasons are parading around the orbis anni, the star-spangled globe upon which Tellus leisurely places her right hand. The joy of the moment, however, would soon be tarnished, for within three months of the issuance of this medallion Commodus’ agents would intercept yet another plot against the emperor’s life – this time led by the brigand Maternus, who had planned to murder the emperor during the festival of the Great Goddess in March of that year. |  |
