Obverse. Photo © CoinArchives
  • 1 Dupondius 178 AD, RIC# III 1591, Roman Empire, Commodus
  • 1 Dupondius 178 AD, RIC# III 1591, Roman Empire, Commodus
Description

Commodus (Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus), was Roman emperor from 177 to 192. He ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180 and solely after that. He was made the youngest consul in Roman history in 177 and later that year elevated to co-emperor with his father. His accession was the first time a son had succeeded his biological father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. He was also the first emperor to have both a father and grandfather (who had adopted his father) as the two preceding emperors. Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple", i.e., during his father's reign.

During his solo reign, the Empire enjoyed a period of reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius, but intrigues and conspiracies abounded, leading Commodus to an increasingly dictatorial style of leadership that culminated in a God-like personality cult. His assassination in 192 marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty.

The dupondius (Latin two-pounder) was a brass coin used during the Roman Empire and Roman Republic valued at 2 aes (1/2 of a sestertius or 1/8 of a denarius).

Obverse

Head of Commodus, laureate, right, in a crown.

L AVREL COMMODVS AVG TR P III (Lucius Aurelius Commodus Avgustus Tribuna Potestas)

L AVREL COMMODVS AVG TR P III

Reverse

Liberty (in Latin Libertas) standing left, holding pileus and scepter.

The pileus (Greek: πῖλος – pilos, also pilleus or pilleum in Latin) was a brimless, felt cap worn in Ancient Greece and surrounding regions, later also introduced in Ancient Rome.

LIBERTAS AVG IMP II COS PP (Libertas Augustas Imperator Duo Consul Pater Patriae)

S C (Senatus Consulto, Latin: With permission of the Senate)

LIBERTAS AVG IMP II COS PP
S C

Edge -

1 Dupondius

RIC# III 1591
Characteristics
Production Hammering
Material Bronze
Weight 9.4 g
Diameter 25 mm
Thickness -
Shape round

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