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coin
Object Type
coin
Museum number
1912,0710.302
Denomination
denarius
Description
Silver coin.
(whole)
Head of Commodus, laureate, right.
(obverse)
Fortuna seated left, holding horse, left, by bridle with right hand and cornucopia in left hand.
(reverse)
State
Associated with:
Roman Empire
Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority
Ruler:
Commodus
Cultures/periods
Roman Imperial
Production date
186-189
Production place
Minted in:
Rome (city)
Materials
silver
Dimensions
Die-axis:
12 o'clock
Weight:
2.715 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
Fortuna here has the unusual epithet 'Manens': 'abiding'. Fortuna's guiding role in affairs is usually indicated by the attribute of a rudder but is here suggested by her hand holding a horse by the bridle.
Bibliographic references
RE4 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol.IV: Antoninus Pius to Commodus. Introduction, indexes and plates.
(231, p.731)
PCR / Principal coins of the Romans: Volume I: The Republic c. 290 - 31 BC; Volume II: The Principate 31 BC - AD 296; Volume III: The Dominate AD 294 - 498.
(658)
RIC3 / The Roman imperial coinage, vol. 3: Antoninus Pius to Commodus
(191a, p.386)
(type)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
emperor/empress
classical deity
allegory/personification
horse/ass
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Commodus
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Tyche/Fortuna
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Messrs W S Lincoln & Son
Acquisition date
1912
Department
Coins and Medals
Registration number
1912,0710.302
C&M catalogue number
RE4
(731)
(231)