Commodus (177-192 AD) ~ AR Denarius ~ NGC Extra Fine

Commodus (AD 177-192). AR denarius (18mm, 6h). NGC XF. Rome, AD 184. LAEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, laureate head of Commodus right / P M TR P XVII IMP VII COS VII P P, Pietas seated left reaching right hand forward, to child before, and transverse scepter in left. RIC III 236.

NGC CERT #: 5747216-130

NGC DESCRIPTION: AR Denarius

NGC GRADE: Extra Fine

ABOUT THE COIN:

The denarius was the standard Roman silver coin from its introduction in the Second Punic War c. 211 BC to the reign of Gordian III (AD 238–244), when it was gradually replaced by the antoninianus.  It continued to be minted in very small quantities, likely for ceremonial purposes, until and through the Tetrarchy (293–313). 

Commodus was the emperor dramatized in The Gladiator.  He was Roman emperor from 176-192 AD.  He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 176 until his father's death in 180, and thereafter he reigned alone until his assassination.  His reign is commonly thought of as marking the end of a golden period of peace in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana.  Commodus accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and on a tour of the Eastern provinces in 176. Later that year he became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 15.  During his solo reign, the Roman Empire enjoyed reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius.  He performed as a gladiator in the Colosseum.  Commodus's assassination in 192, by a wrestler in the bath, marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty.  He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.

ABOUT NGC:

NGC is the world's largest third-party coin grading service, accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of a coin's authenticity and grade. NGC graded coins can be verified via this website: https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/.

A beautiful coin for the emperor of the award winning movie, The Gladiator. A handmade silver coin for Roman Emperor Commodus who ruled from 177-192 AD.