It's a bummer I've already posted my top 10 coins of 2019 ... Here are my two most recent acquisitions (also quite content with how the photo's turned out, hope you agree?): I especially like the toning on this one, with some hints of purple, but clear lustre under the patina and a bold portrait of Commodus. ROMAN IMPERIAL, Commodus Denomination: AR denarius, minted: Rome, Italy; 192 AD Obv: L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL: Head of Commodus, laureate, right Rev: P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P: Pietas, veiled, draped, standing left, extending right hand to child and holding transverse sceptre in left hand; in field, star (right) Weight: 2.96g; Ø:18mm Catalogue: RIC III 236 Provenance: Ex DS ; acq.: 12-2019 Though the reverse is a minted with a bit of a worn die, the details of Luna are still discernible. Also, this goddess was not yet in my collection (and I have a weak spot for coins with a dynamic portrayal - in this case a chariot riding at full speed). Also: isn't Julia looking lovely and super feminine? You almost wonder how the wife of the die cutter looked like ... ROMAN IMPERIAL, Julia Domna Denomination: AR denarius, minted: Rome, Italy; 211-217 AD Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG: Bust of Julia Domna, hair elaborately waved in ridges and turned up low at the back, draped, right Rev: LVNA LVCIFERA: Luna (Diana?), with crescent on brow, mantle flying behind her, draped, standing left in biga Weight: 3.05g; Ø:19mm Catalogue: RIC IV 379 C Provenance: Ex DS ; acq.: 12-2019 I've got two questions: 1) what's the meaning of the "L AEL AVREL" on the Commodus denarius? 2) I haven't found that much information on Luna. Is there a comprehensive overview on this goddess? Post the coins you deem relevant!
Nice acquisitions for your collection! You should be proud of them. 1. In AD 191/2 Commodus took the name Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus. That's what L AEL AVREL is short for. Prior to that, he had the name Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus. 2. Luna is simply the Latin word for the moon. The reverse inscription means The moon, the bringer of light. Just as Apollo was identified with the sun, his twin sister Diana was identified with the moon. Luna is Diana in her role as moon goddess. Here's an Aelius Aurelius Commodus sestertius from the final year of his reign: and a LVNA LVCIFERA of Julia Domna for good measure:
Nice new additions, @Roerbakmix. Here’s another Commodus denarius with dark toning. Commodus, AR denarius (18.9 mm, 3.70 g). Rome mint, struck A.D. 184-185. COMM ANT AVG P BRIT, laureate head right / P M TR P X IMP VII COS IIII P P, ROM, Roma seated on cuirass left, holding Victory and cornucopia; arms on ground below. RIC 112. From the Porter Collection.
