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Orbis Collectibles

Pergamon, Commodus, bronze coin — Heros Pergamos and Androklos (CN type 21132)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. AD 180–182

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Pergamon in Mysia under Commodus, dated c. AD 180–182. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 21132 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city (homonoia)).

Obverse: Laureate bust of lightly bearded Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑΥ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ. Reverse: Heros Pergamos and Androklos; to left, bearded hero Pergamos standing, right, holding statue of Asclepius and sceptre; to right, youthful hero Androklos standing, left, holding statue of Artemis and sceptre. Between, altar. Legend: ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡ Π ΑΙ ΠΙΟΥ ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΟΜΟ(ΝΟΙΑ) ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ [Κ]ΑΙ ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ.

Measured specimens give a mean weight of 49.83 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 42 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. 3276; Weisser, Die kaiserzeitliche Münzprägung von Pergamon, München 1995, nr. 10.5. T 1300; Franke and Nollé, Die Homonoia-Münzen Kleinasiens und der thrakischen Randgebiete, Saarbrücken 1997, p. 161, nr. 28-30; Kampmann, Die Homonoia-Verbindungen der Stadt Pergamon, oder, Der Versuch einer kleinasiatischen Stadt unter römischer Herrschaft eigenständige Politik zu betreiben, Saarbrücken 1996, p. 105f., nr. 30-32; Linked type corpus.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
6
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

Commodus was Roman emperor from 177 to 192, initially reigning alongside his father Marcus Aurelius before ruling alone from 180. His sole rule marked the end of the Pax Romana and the concluding years of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. The coin was struck during his reign at Pergamon, a powerful ancient Greek city that had previously served as the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
42 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
49.83 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Pergamon
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City (Homonoia)
Issuing authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of lightly bearded Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Heros Pergamos and Androklos; to left, bearded hero Pergamos standing, right, holding statue of Asclepius and sceptre; to right, youthful hero Androklos standing, left, holding statue of Artemis and sceptre. Between, altar.
Obverse legend
ΑΥ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡ Π ΑΙ ΠΙΟΥ ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΟΜΟ(ΝΟΙΑ) ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ [Κ]ΑΙ ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ

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/21132
Type corpus identifier
CN type 21132

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

Varieties

  • Pergamon, Commodus, bronze (CN type 17795)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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