Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

RIC III Commodus 618

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC III Commodus 618. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Commodus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Commodus, laureate, right, with the legend L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL.

The reverse shows commodus, togate, seated left on curule chair on platform, attended by an officer; before him, Liberalitas, draped, standing left, holding tessera in right hand and corncuopiae in left hand; at left, citizen mounting right steps of platform, with the legend LIB AVG P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P S C.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
5
Catalogue references
1

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 the Roman Empire from 177 to 192, initially serving alongside his father Marcus Aurelius and subsequently governing alone from 180 until his assassination in 192. His sole rule, commonly regarded as marking the end of the Pax Romana, experienced few military conflicts but was characterised by internal conspiracies and administrative reliance on palace chamberlains and praetorian prefects.

This bronze sestertius was produced at the mint of Rome. The reverse depiction features the emperor seated on a curule chair on a platform, flanked by an officer, while Liberalitas holds a tessera and cornucopiae before a citizen mounting the platform steps. The surrounding legend reads "LIB AVG P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P S C", complementing the obverse legend "L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL".

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse
Head of Commodus, laureate, right
Reverse
Commodus, togate, seated left on curule chair on platform, attended by an officer; before him, Liberalitas, draped, standing left, holding tessera in right hand and corncuopiae in left hand; at left, citizen mounting right steps of platform
Obverse legend
L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL
Reverse legend
LIB AVG P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC III Commodus 618
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL
Reverse legend to match
LIB AVG P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P S C
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
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

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference