First coin of 2022 (and yes, another showing off thread)

Nice pickup, @ambr0zie, with a solid portrait and an interesting, less common reverse type.

In CT tradition, here's my latest Commodus, also a later issue, ex AMCC 3. I particularly liked @Severus Alexander's writeup for it, which I reproduce below.

COMMODUS
AR Denarius. 3.18g, 18.0mm. Rome mint, AD 191-192. RIC III 256 (rare). O: L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, laureate head right. R: IOVI DEFENS SALVTIS AVG, Jupiter standing front and looking right, holding thunderbolt aloft with right hand and sceptre with left, seven stars around.
Ex Severus Alexander Collection; ex Phil Peck Collection (CNG E-auction 463, part of lot 648)
AMCC Notes: "The IOVI DEFENS SALVTIS type is unique to Commodus. Coming near the end of his reign at the height of his paranoia, it indicates Jupiter’s protection of the emperor; RIC notes the coin types of this year show his “growing nervousness and insecurity.” The seven stars likely have astrological significance, mostly likely representing the seven “wanderers” in the sky (planets in the classical meaning of the term): the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn."

 

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My one Commodus. For me the clincher to bidding on this coin was the Mars figure on the reverse. Just looks cool, in my opinion.

 

Glad you’re on the mend.

 

@ambr0zie So good to know you have recovered and are doing well.

You got very really nice Commodus denarii and it is awesome you won one you wanted very much.

All very interesting and great coins in this thread.

Only have two Commodus coins - a not very nice denarius and this Sestertius. The obverse is not bad, but the reverse, ... well it is what it is:

Rome, 190 AD
27.5 x 29 mm, 19.608 g
RIC III Commodus 563; Cohen 320; BMC 650;

Ob.: (M CO)MMOD ANT P F / ELIX AVG BRIT PP Head of Commodus, laureate, right
Rev.: LIBERAL AVG VII(PM)TR P XV IMP VIII COS VI Liberalitas, draped, standing l., holding coin-counter in r. hand and cornucopia in l. hand; across field S C

 

Here is my first coin of 2022. Very nice example of a plated antoninianus

 

Good health, love, and happiness to you. Thanks for sharing!

 

I am glad you are better @ambr0zie ! And hope you stay that with it all being over.

COMMODUS

RI Commodus 177-192 CE AR Denarius laureate hd and Hercules and Africa

 

While many have posted on Commodus' association with Hercules that gave us interesting coins, one of my favorites is just someone sitting there. What makes the coin special is the fine workmanship and good metal for a barbarous coin. M COMMODVS ANTONINVSI / SCCORPPNITP XIIIICOSVDE? Securitas?


My other two here appealed to me for what I define as exceptionally fine style, curly beard portraits. Many denarii of Commodus show lackadaisical workmanship but some are quite accomplished.