Roman Silver & Bronze Coins - Imperial

Lot 3298    SESSION 7 (9.30AM THURSDAY 30TH JULY)    Roman Silver & Bronze Coins - Imperial

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $220

COMMODUS, (177-192 A.D.), AE sestertius, 28-29mm, (21.69 g), issued 185, obv. M COMMODVS [ANT]ON AVG PIVS BR[IT], laureate head of Commodus to right, rev. [P M TR] P X IMP V[II COS IIII P P], across S C, VICT BRIT (in exergue), Victory, winged, naked to waist, seated right on shields and arms, with stylus in right hand preparing to inscribe oval shield set on left knee. (S.5826, BMCRE IV p.800, 560, C.946, RIC III p.418, 452, cf.MIR 665). Deep cabinet patina, struck on an uneven flan, very fine, with a strong portrait, type is very rare.

Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection. Previously Spink & Son with ticket.
The title suggests that Commodus was present at his father's victory over the Marcomanni, he mopped up the deserters in Gaul in a military campaign, and a revolt in Brittany was put down by two legions brought over from Britain. In Britain in 184, the governor Ulpius Marcellus re-advanced the Roman frontier northward to the Antonine Wall, but the legionaries revolted against his harsh discipline and acclaimed another legate, Priscus, as emperor. This coin commemorates (VICT BRIT) the success of the legions advancing to the Antonine wall.