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Orbis Collectibles

RIC III Commodus 640

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC III Commodus 640. 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 hercules, nude, wearing lion skin draped over left arm, standing right, resting right hand on trophy and holdind club in left hand, with the legend HERCVLI ROMANO AVG S C.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
9
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. His sole reign, struck at the mint of Rome, witnessed internal conspiracies that prompted an increasingly dictatorial leadership and the establishment of a deific personality cult. His rule ended with his assassination in 192.

Struck as a bronze sestertius, a Roman denomination valued at one quarter of a denarius and useful for commerce, this coin reflects the imperial presentation of Commodus. The obverse presents the emperor laureate with the legend "L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL". The reverse pairs the legend "HERCVLI ROMANO AVG S C" with an image of a nude Hercules holding a club, wearing a lion skin, and resting his hand on a trophy.

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Commodus

Design

Obverse
Head of Commodus, laureate, right
Reverse
Hercules, nude, wearing lion skin draped over left arm, standing right, resting right hand on trophy and holdind club in left hand
Obverse legend
L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL
Reverse legend
HERCVLI ROMANO AVG S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC III Commodus 640
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL
Reverse legend to match
HERCVLI ROMANO AVG 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.
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