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Orbis Collectibles

Assos, Commodus, bronze coin — Asclepius enthroned left (CN type 18931)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. AD 180–184

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Assos in Troas under Commodus, dated c. AD 180–184. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 18931 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑVΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΑV ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ. Reverse: Asclepius enthroned left, holding patera and serpent-staff. Legend: ЄΠΙ ϹΤΡΑ ΑΡΙϹΤΟΛΑΟ // ΑϹϹΙΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 7.28 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 22.5 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). 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. 70; Linked type corpus.

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

This bronze coin was issued between c. AD 180 and 184 at Assos, an ancient Greek city located in the Troad on the coast of the Adramyttian Gulf. It was struck during the Roman Imperial Period under Commodus, who served as Roman emperor from 177 to 192, reigning alone from 180 following the death of his father Marcus Aurelius. The reverse features Asclepius, the ancient Greek hero and god of medicine, depicted seated with a patera and his characteristic serpent-staff.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
22.5 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
7.28 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Assos
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of bearded Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Asclepius enthroned left, holding patera and serpent-staff.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΑV ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ
Reverse legend
ЄΠΙ ϹΤΡΑ ΑΡΙϹΤΟΛΑΟ // ΑϹϹΙΩΝ

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/18931
Type corpus identifier
CN type 18931

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

  • Corpus Nummorum bibliographynr. 70
  • external concordance

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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