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Orbis Collectibles

Germe, Commodus, bronze coin — Nude Apollo standing (CN type 3587)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. AD 179–180

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Germe in Mysia under Commodus, dated c. AD 179–180. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 3587 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑVΤΟ Κ Λ ΑV(Ρ) ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ. Reverse: nude Apollo standing, r., crossing legs, holding right hand on over head, resting left arm on decorated pillar surmounted by lyre; to l., laurel-tree entwined by serpent (Python). Legend: ΕΠΙ ΕΡΜΟΛΑ ΤΟ ΓΕΡΜΗ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 15.54 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 26–29 mm (from 6 recorded specimens).

Published references cited by the corpus: Ehling, Die Münzprägung der mysischen Stadt Germe in der römischen Kaiserzeit, Bonn 2001, p. 133, nr. 128-132, annot. zw. 182-184 n. Chr.; 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. 652, annot. Datierung: c. 179-180; Linked type corpus, RPC IV.2, 652.

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

Germe, also known as Germa or Hiera Germe, was an ancient town in Mysia situated between the Macestus and Rhyndacus rivers, near modern Karaçam in Asiatic Turkey. Commodus served as Roman emperor from 177 to 192, reigning initially as nominal co-emperor alongside his father Marcus Aurelius before governing alone from 180. This bronze issue was struck by the civic authority of Germe around AD 179–180, spanning the end of their joint rule and the beginning of Commodus's sole reign.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
26–29 mm (from 6 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
15.54 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Germe
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Commodus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
nude Apollo standing, r., crossing legs, holding right hand on over head, resting left arm on decorated pillar surmounted by lyre; to l., laurel-tree entwined by serpent (Python).
Obverse legend
ΑVΤΟ Κ Λ ΑV(Ρ) ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΕΠΙ ΕΡΜΟΛΑ ΤΟ ΓΕΡΜΗ

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/3587
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3587

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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