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Pitane, Commodus, bronze coin — Eagle standing on pentagram (CN type 11892)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. AD 175–177

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Pitane in Mysia under Commodus, dated c. AD 175–177. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 11892 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Bare-headed bust of youthful Commodus, right, wearing paludamentum. Legend: Λ ΑVΡΗΛΙΟϹ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ. Reverse: Eagle standing on pentagram, facing, right. Legend: ΕΠΙ ΜΗΤΡΟΔWΡΟΝ ϹΤΡΑΤ ΠΙΤΑ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 3.87 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 20.1–20.9 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Heuchert, RPC IV: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. IV: From Antoninus Pius to Commodus (AD 138–192). online (temporary), http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/, nr. 2574; Linked type corpus, RPC IV.2, 2574.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Pitane was an ancient Aeolian town in Asia Minor situated on the bay of Elaea near the mouth of the river Evenus, boasting two harbours that provided commercial advantages. This coin was issued under Commodus, the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Commodus accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172 and on an eastern provincial tour in 176. At the age of 16 in 177, he was elevated to co-emperor alongside Marcus Aurelius and became Roman consul, later reigning as sole emperor from 180 until his assassination in 192.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
20.1–20.9 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
3.87 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Pitane
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse type
Bare-headed bust of youthful Commodus, right, wearing paludamentum.
Reverse type
Eagle standing on pentagram, facing, right.
Obverse legend
Λ ΑVΡΗΛΙΟϹ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΕΠΙ ΜΗΤΡΟΔWΡΟΝ ϹΤΡΑΤ ΠΙΤΑ

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial Period
How to identify
Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/11892
Type corpus identifier
CN type 11892

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

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