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Orbis Collectibles

Gargara, Commodus, bronze coin — Veiled Demeter standing facing (CN type 12200)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 180–192

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Gargara in Troas under Commodus, dated AD 180–192. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12200 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ. Reverse: Veiled Demeter standing facing, head left, holding two ears of corn in right hand, left resting on long torch. Legend: ΓΑΡΓΑΡЄΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 6.81 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 23 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Babelon, Inventaire sommaire de la Collection Waddington, Paris 1898, nr. 792; 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. 2591; Linked type corpus, RPC IV.2, 2591.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
3

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

Historical context

Commodus ruled as Roman emperor from 177 until his assassination in 192, serving alongside his father Marcus Aurelius until becoming sole emperor in 180. His sole reign brought an end to the Pax Romana and was characterised by internal intrigues, an increasingly dictatorial leadership style, and a deific personality cult. This civic bronze coin was struck in the city of Gargara in Troas between AD 180 and 192 during Commodus's sole rule.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
23 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
6.81 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Gargara
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of bearded Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Veiled Demeter standing facing, head left, holding two ears of corn in right hand, left resting on long torch.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΓΑΡΓΑΡЄΩΝ

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/12200
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12200

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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