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Orbis Collectibles

Assos, Commodus, bronze coin — Zeus standing (CN type 18933)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 184–187

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Assos in Troas under Commodus, dated AD 184–187. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 18933 (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: Zeus standing, left, holding a patera in his outstretched right hand, left hand resting on sceptre. Legend: ЄΠΙ ϹΤΡΑ ΤΙΒЄ ΚΛΑV ΑΡΙϹΤ ΤVΛΑΔΑ // ΑϹϹΙΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 16.98 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 31.5 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. 69; Imhoof-Blumer, Griechische Münzen aus dem Museum in Klagenfurt und anderen Sammlungen 16, 1884, p. 265, nr. 83; 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. 9205; Linked type corpus; Linked type corpus.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
5

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

Historical context

Assos was an ancient Greek city positioned on the southern side of the Troad along the Adramyttian Gulf, offering the only good harbour along 80 kilometres of coastline. Ruled as part of the Roman Empire, it issued civic coinage under Commodus, who served as Roman emperor from 177 until 192, reigning alone after 180 following the death of his father Marcus Aurelius. This piece dates to AD 184–187, during his sole reign.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
31.5 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
16.98 g (mean of 1 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
Zeus standing, left, holding a patera in his outstretched right hand, left hand resting on sceptre.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ
Reverse legend
ЄΠΙ ϹΤΡΑ ΤΙΒЄ ΚΛΑV ΑΡΙϹΤ ΤVΛΑΔΑ // 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/18933
Type corpus identifier
CN type 18933

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. 69
  • Corpus Nummorum bibliographyp. 265, nr. 83
  • Corpus Nummorum bibliographynr. 9205
  • external concordance
  • external concordance

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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