© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Commodus PROVIDENTIAE AVG; Hercules
| Gold | 7.4 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus) (177-192) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 191-192 |
| Value | 1 Aureus = 25 Denarii |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 7.4 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#265516 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Hercules, wearing lion-skin, standing right, foot on prow, resting club on tree-trunk to right, holding thunderbolt in left hand and clasping right hands with Africa, wearing elephant headdress, draped, holding sistrum in right hand and corn-ears (?) in left hand; at her feet, lion.
Script: Latin
Lettering: PROVIDENTIAE AVG
Translation:
Providentiae Augusti.
To the foresight of the emperor.
Comment
Example of this type:Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Commodus (PROVIDENTIAE AVG; Hercules) coin is that it features an image of the Roman goddess Providentia on one side, and a depiction of Hercules on the other. This coin was minted during the reign of Emperor Commodus, who was known for his fascination with Greek mythology and his desire to associate himself with legendary figures like Hercules. The coin's design reflects this interest and serves as a representation of the emperor's ambition to be seen as a powerful and divine leader.
