Commodus and the loyalty of the infantry

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Limes, Feb 20, 2023.

  1. Limes

    Limes Well-Known Member

    This coin was my first addition of this year. It's a sestertius of Commodus with a very interesting reverse, appealing to the loyalty of the infantry (army: Militum; infantry: Exercitum; cavalry Equitum).

    The relationship of Commodus with the military was troublesome, to say the least. Not only did he pay his way out of the wars in which his father was involved, a severe lack of interest in the various military troubles that plagued the empire did not help either. It also gave the opportunity to ambitious men like Pescennius Niger to make a name for themselves.

    RIC allocates no's 468 a - d to the reverse. The difference is the number of soldiers displayed on the reverse; three, four, five or six. Next to the interesting reverse, the portrait is lovely too and the coins shows great green patina.

    Thanks for looking. If you have a fides militum, exercitum of equitum coin, please share.

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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Handsome coin, wonderful patina on it.
     
    sky92880 and Limes like this.
  4. sky92880

    sky92880 Well-Known Member

    Nice Sestertius and exellent quality coin Limes.

    Here my only brockage coin in my collection ( same reverse type but an Denarius )
    cobr.jpg

    M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT : laureate head right

    P M TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P : Commodus standing left on platform, holding sceptre, right hand raised, addressing three soldiers standing right, FID EXERC in exergue.

    Denarius, Rome, AD 184-185, RIC 110d
     
    Edessa, Limes, ancient times and 2 others like this.
  5. GinoLR

    GinoLR Well-Known Member

    Commode HS.jpg
    RIC 468D
    (much circulated)
     
    Edessa, Limes, sky92880 and 3 others like this.
  6. GinoLR

    GinoLR Well-Known Member

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