What is RIC III Commodus 259A?

RIC III Commodus 259A is a Silver Denarius of Commodus (191 AD-192 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Commodus 259A.

What are the physical specifications of RIC III Commodus 259A?

RIC III Commodus 259A was struck in Silver, standard weight 2.94g, diameter 17mm, die axis 12 h, struck.

Commodus Denarius, Hercules reverse (RIC III 259A)

Obverse

Reverse

Akademisches Kunstmuseum, Universität Bonn

Catalog Reference

RIC III Commodus 259A

Ruler

Commodus

Denomination

Denarius

Date

191 AD-192 AD

Mint

Rome

Metal

Silver

Weight

2.94g

Diameter

17mm

Die Axis

12 h

Portrait Type

laureate

Manufacturing

struck

Obverse

L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL

Head of Commodus, laureate, right

Reverse

PROVIDENTIAE AVG

Hercules, wearing lion-skin, standing right, foot on prow, resting club on tree-trunk to right, holding thunderbolt in left hand and clasping right hands with Africa, wearing elephant headdress, draped, holding sistrum in right hand and corn-ears (?) in left hand; at her feet, lion

About This Type

This RIC III Commodus 259A is a denarius of Commodus (191 AD-192 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Hercules, wearing lion-skin, standing right, foot on prow, resting club on tree-trunk to right, holding thunderbolt in left hand and clasping right hands with Africa, wearing elephant headdress, draped, holding sistrum in right hand and corn-ears (?) in left hand; at her feet, lion. Struck in silver at a standard weight of 2.94g, 17mm diameter.

About the Denarius

The denarius was the standard Roman silver coin, struck from around 211 BC through the mid-third century AD. It typically weighs 3.5–4.0 grams and measures 17–20mm. Republican issues are cataloged under Crawford (RRC); imperial issues follow RIC volumes by ruler.

About the Rome Mint

The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.

All Commodus coins Rome mint All Denarius coins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RIC III Commodus 259A?: RIC III Commodus 259A is a Silver Denarius of Commodus (191 AD-192 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Commodus 259A.
How do you identify RIC III Commodus 259A?: The obverse depicts Head of Commodus, laureate, right with the inscription L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL. The reverse depicts Hercules, wearing lion-skin, standing right, foot on prow, resting club on tree-trunk to right, holding thunderbolt in left hand and clasping right hands with Africa, wearing elephant headdress, draped, holding sistrum in right hand and corn-ears (?) in left hand; at her feet, lion with the inscription PROVIDENTIAE AVG. Portrait type: laureate.
What are the physical specifications of RIC III Commodus 259A?: RIC III Commodus 259A was struck in Silver, standard weight 2.94g, diameter 17mm, die axis 12 h, struck.