What is RIC III Commodus 581?

RIC III Commodus 581 is a Bronze Sestertius of Commodus (190 AD-191 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Commodus 581.

Commodus Sestertius, Hercules reverse (RIC III 581)

Catalog Reference

RIC III Commodus 581

Ruler

Commodus

Denomination

Sestertius

Date

190 AD-191 AD

Mint

Rome

Metal

Bronze

Portrait Type

laureate

Obverse

M COMMOD ANT P FELIX AVG BRIT P P

Head of Commodus, laureate, right

Reverse

HERC COMMODIANO P M TR P XVI COS VI S C

Hercules, nude, standing left, sacrificing with patera in right hand over altar and holding cornucopiae in left hand; at left, tree on which hangs lion-skin

About This Type

This RIC III Commodus 581 is a sestertius of Commodus (190 AD-191 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Hercules, nude, standing left, sacrificing with patera in right hand over altar and holding cornucopiae in left hand; at left, tree on which hangs lion-skin.

About the Sestertius

The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.

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 Sestertius coins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RIC III Commodus 581?: RIC III Commodus 581 is a Bronze Sestertius of Commodus (190 AD-191 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Commodus 581.
How do you identify RIC III Commodus 581?: The obverse depicts Head of Commodus, laureate, right with the inscription M COMMOD ANT P FELIX AVG BRIT P P. The reverse depicts Hercules, nude, standing left, sacrificing with patera in right hand over altar and holding cornucopiae in left hand; at left, tree on which hangs lion-skin with the inscription HERC COMMODIANO P M TR P XVI COS VI S C. Portrait type: laureate.