© Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen (CC BY-NC 4.0 DE)
© Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen (CC BY-NC 4.0 DE)
Sestertius - Commodus LIBERAL AVG P M TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P S C; Liberalitas
| Bronze | 23.2 g | 31.5 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus) (177-192) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 184-185 |
| Value | 1 Sestertius = ¼ Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 23.2 g |
| Diameter | 31.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#265813 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Commodus, togate, seated left on curule chair on platform, attended by an officer; before him, Liberalitas, draped, standing left, holding tessera in right hand and corncuopiae in left hand; at left, citizen mounting right steps of platform.
Script: Latin
Lettering: LIBERAL AVG P M TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P S C
Translation:
Liberalitas Augusti, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Decima, Imperator Septimum, Consul Quartum, Pater Patriae. Senatus Consultum.
The liberality of the emperor, high priest, holder of tribunician power for the tenth time, supreme commander (Imperator) for the seventh time, consul for the fourth time, father of the nation, Decree of the senate.
Comment
Example of this type:Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of the Roman goddess Liberalitas, which represents the concept of liberality or generosity, on the reverse side. This is fitting, given that the coin's name, Sestertius, means "one-fourth" in Latin, and it was worth one-fourth of a denarius, the standard unit of currency in ancient Rome. The image of Liberalitas on the coin may suggest that the Roman Empire valued the idea of generosity and giving, and it could be seen as a symbol of the empire's prosperity and wealth.
