Ancients Commodus (AD 177-192). AE bimetallic medallion (40mm,

Ancients
Commodus (AD 177-192). AE bimetallic medallion (40mm, 55.92 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Rome, 189 AD. M•COMMODVS•ANTONINVS-•PIVS•FELIX•AVG•BRIT, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus right, seen from behind / FORTV-NAE•REDVCI / C•V•P•P, Commodus, veiled and togate, standing right, scroll in left hand, sacrificing from patera in right hand over lit altar in center before Fortuna Redux enthroned left, cornucopia cradled in left arm, right hand on rudder. Gnecchi plate 79.4 (same dies). Szaivert 1136 (reverse die see plate 20, 54).

From the Paramount Collection. Ex Gorny & Mosch, Auction 121 (10 March 2003), lot 466; Classical Numismatic Group, Web Shop, inventory #734679

Although relatively rare today, the mint in Rome during the Antonine Era was producing on a regular basis stunning bimetallic works of art, to be gifted to foreign dignitaries and possibly as awards of merit. Commodus took full advantage of this impressive medium, displaying both incredible portraiture on the obverse and a host of themes on the reverse to promote himself, over time showcasing his full descent into megalomania.

Commodus was so convinced of his status of demigod that he insisted in AD 190 the Roman calendar be renamed with each month taking on a part of his full name and title - Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus Augustus Herculeus Romanus Exsuperatorius Amazonius Invictus Felix Pius. After the fire which destroyed a large section of Rome shortly thereafter, Commodus had it rebuilt and rededicated the city as Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana. The citizens were then to be called Commodiani, the Senate was renamed Senatus Commodianus Fortunatus and all of the legions were to replace their names with Commodiana.

Commodus' megalomania entered its terminal phase in AD 192. Divested of his powerful chamberlain Cleander, he gave full vent to his obsession with Hercules and pretensions to godhead. Certain issues minted in AD 191-192 depict Commodus in the guide of Hercules, wearing the skin of the Nemean lion, in honor "To the Roman Hercules." The famous marble portrait bust found in the underground chambers of Horti Lamiani, now on display in the Capitoline Museum in Rome, depicts him in the same guise, and he portrayed the demigod during a series of spectacles in the Colosseum, where he dispatched hundreds of animals in imitation of Hercules' Twelve Labors. While the populace seems to have enjoyed these antics, the Roman aristocracy was horrified and a conspiracy took root over the course of the year that culminated in the emperor's assassination on New Year's Eve, AD 192.

The C V P P exergue is abbreviated for Commodus's 5th consulate, dating this piece to AD 189 - two years before the end of his reign and the resulting civil war of AD 193 and the beginning of the Severan Era.

The outer ring on this specimen is colored with deep green and brown patina, with the central section displaying beautiful shades of yellow, red and green earth tones. Exceptionally attractive in hand, this coin is presently the finest of the eight total Commodus medallions certified by NGC.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-commodus-ad-177-192-ae-bimetallic-medallion-40mm-5592-gm-12h-ngc-choice-au-5-5-4-5-fine-style/a/3096-30058.s?type=CoinArchives3096

HID02906262019

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Estimate: 20000-30000 USD