© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Commodus SPES PVBLICA; Spes
| Gold | 7.3 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Marcus Aurelius (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus) (161-180) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 175-176 |
| Value | 1 Aureus = 25 Denarii |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 7.3 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#263298 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Spes, draped, advancing left, holding up flower-bud in right hand and gathering up fold of skirt in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SPES PVBLICA
Translation:
Spes Publica.
Hope of the public.
Comment
Example of this type:Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Aureus - Commodus (SPES PVBLICA; Spes) coin features an image of the Roman goddess Spes (meaning "hope" in Latin) on the reverse side, which is unusual for a Roman coin. Spes was not a commonly depicted deity on Roman coins, and her appearance on this coin may suggest that the emperor Commodus was attempting to promote a new cult or religious ideology. This coin could provide valuable insights into the religious and cultural practices of the Roman Empire during the reign of Commodus.
