© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Sestertius - Commodus HILARITAS S C; Hilaritas
| Bronze | 26 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 Sestertius = ¼ Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 26 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#264236 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Hilaritas, draped, standing left, holding long palm, nearly vertical, in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: HILARITAS S C
Translation:
Hilaritas. Senatus Consultum.
Joy. Decree of the senate.
Comment
Example of this type:Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of Hilaritas, the Roman goddess of cheerfulness and gaiety, on its reverse side. This is fitting, given that the name Commodus, which appears on the obverse side, means "joy" or "rejoicing" in Latin. The coin's focus on Hilaritas suggests that it may have been issued to commemorate a particular event or festival that was associated with the goddess, such as the Roman festival of the Saturnalia, which was celebrated in December and involved feasting, gift-giving, and merriment.
