In AD 180, Commodus returned from the Danubian front, an event which was celebrated numismatically by coins depicting Fortuna, Roma, trophies and captives, and an Adventus (Emperor's return) type. To celebrate, he issued a largess to the people -- his third -- an event commemorated by this Liberalitas type. Liberalitas means generosity, and it was considered a virtue in Roman society. The term was used to describe the generosity of the emperor whenever he issued a largess to the citizenry in the form of money, grain or other provisions. This virtue was personified by the image of a woman, holding in one hand a counting board, or square tablet with a handle on which were cut a certain number of holes. These boards were used to quickly count the proper number of coins or other items for distribution to each person. It appears they would be dipped into a container, covered with coins and the excess swept away back into the container. The proper number of coins would fill the holes and then would be dumped out to the recipient. On coins this symbol indicated the emperor had given money to the people. In the other hand she holds a cornucopiae, to indicate the abundance of the imperial treasury. I like this coin because Liberalitas is well-rendered; you can even count the coins on her counting board! Commodus, AD 177-192 Roman AR denarius, 3.42 g, 18 mm Rome, AD 180 Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev: LIB AVG TR P V IMP IIII COS II P P, Liberalitas standing left, holding counting-board and cornucopiae Refs: RIC 10; RSC 302; BMC 3; Szaivert 496/4.
Nice Commodus. I just happened to finish watching Gladiator about 10 minutes ago and, while I know the movie is fictionalized, I do doubt many rejoiced in his return from the Danubian front as sole emperor. I still need this crazy guy.
That's a terrific Commodus from early in his sole reign. So many of his denarii, especially the later ones, suffered from very poor production standards.
That's a great coin Roman Collector, and a great write-up to go with it. I only have one example of a Liberalitas coin type, and it's a rather well-worn Gordian III: In this case I believe the AUG II on the reverse indicates this was the second time Gordian III had made such a donative. What I find particularly fascinating about the Liberalitas coins is that they can be directly tied to a specific time and event in the past. With the scarce literary sources available for the reign of Gordian III, I wonder if coinage is the only evidence we have of this particular bestowal?
It is a nice Commodus, along with the other's posted. I have a counting board reverse of Claudius ll Gothicus(?), but i didn't know that they were for counting money out to the masses..looks to be 10 coins on mine.. great coin and info!(also Commodus denarius -my 9th year-Mars reverse)excuse the early pics plz
Yeh great coin! So many of his coins are of poor quality or small flan with legends off. Yours is the to the contrary,nice find!
You're welcome! And I like your coin, too! It's cool how 10 coins are visible on Liberalitas's counting board on its reverse.
yeah, ain't that wicked?~?.. i've had never known it other than you posting this thread.. i was told a long time ago it was a counting board, but like a abacus.Cheers to ya RC looks like old C ll G had some thangs goin' on while he was around^^
Nice Liberalitas examples; an interesting type to be sure. A while back I came across a very late example from Commodus which, thanks to zumbly's research, turns out to be quite rare, probably my rarest ancient (I lucked into it - about $8 from an eBay lot). https://www.cointalk.com/threads/commodus-denarius-attribution-help-please-liberalitas-rev.303052/ Zumbly found a cng post for me that was informative (there is some debate over what occasion prompted this particular Liberalitas issue in 192 A.D.): https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=340510 Here it is again: Commodus (192 A.D.) Rome Mint - Denarius L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, laureate head right /LIB AVG VIIII P M TR P XVII COS VII P P, Liberalitas standing half left with abacus & cradling cornucopia; star to left. RIC 240; RSC 327. Very rare.
