Ancient Roman Silver Denarius of Emperor Commodus

Code: 11665

This is an ancient Roman silver denarius, of Emperor Commodus, minted in Rome between 187 - 188 AD 

Obverse:  M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT, "Marcus Commodus Antoninus, the pious, the fortunate, emperor (Augustus), conqueror of the Britons" laureate and bearded head of Commodus facing right.

Reverse:  P M TR P XIII IMP VIII COS V P P, "High priest, holder of tribunician power for the 13th time, supreme commander (Imperator) for the eighth time, consul for the fifth time, father of the nation." Fortuna seated left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopiae.

Between 180 AD and 184 AD, the Romans were once again at war with the northern tribes in Britain. According to Cassius Dio, they breached Hadrian’s wall and killed a Roman general, making this the most serious war of Commodus’ reign. When the war was won, Commodus minted two types of coins to celebrate the victory. He also took on the title “Britannicus”, and all his coins after this date feature Brit "conqueror of the Britons" in the legend.

CULTURE: ROMAN

DENOMINATION: Denarius

MATERIAL: Silver

DATE: 177 - 192 AD (This coin was minted in Rome between 187-188 AD)

SIZE: 18mm dia

WEIGHT: 3.5 grams

ATTRIBUTION: RSC 540a. RIC 166, Sear 5679

PROVENANCE: Private collection. East Sussex. United Kingdom