© British Museum
© British Museum
Æ16 - Commodus and Abgar VIII
| Bronze | 3.5 g | 16 mm |
| Issuer | Kingdom of Osroene (Greater Armenia) |
|---|---|
| King | Abgar VIII (Lucius Aelius Septimius Abgarus) (177-212) |
| Emperor | Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus) (177-192) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 177-192 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 3.5 g |
| Diameter | 16 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#363402 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Draped bust of King Abgar VIII facing right, wearing diademed tiara.
Script: Greek
Lettering: ABΓAPOC BACIΛOCVC
Translation: King Abgar.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a rare combination of Roman and Armenian imagery. The obverse side of the coin bears the image of Roman Emperor Commodus, while the reverse side features a depiction of Abgar VIII, the King of Osroene (Greater Armenia). This blending of cultural influences reflects the complex political and cultural landscape of the region during this time period.