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Author Topic: Commodus denarius with strange SNAKE  (Read 568 times)

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Offline timka

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Commodus denarius with strange SNAKE
« on: September 07, 2019, 05:09:44 pm »
Hi!

This denarius of Commodus seems to deserve some attention, it does not fit entirely with known types. The divinity looks like Fortuna with caduceus, but then this strange 'snake' in the left field comes into play. Also, it should be noted there is probably a star in right field. Though star is usually portrayed in left field on Fortuna types. Fortuna type is very common, so there are about 40 coins on numismatics.org, but there is no such strange reverse with snake or prow.

http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.3.com.235

So, may be it is not Fortuna then, but it does not look like Ceres too. All other types are even less relevant. The coin is official, so barbarous is not an option in this case. May be something went wrong with dies? Or overstrike. Or this is Salus. So, your input will be much appreciated.

L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL  Head of Commodus, laureate, right
P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P  devinity  draped, standing left,  holding caduceus  (may be NOT! in right hand and cornucopia in left hand; in right field, star

18mm 2,5gr 6h

Thanks much


Offline curtislclay

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Re: Commodus denarius with strange SNAKE
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2019, 02:45:18 pm »
Probably Fides holding standard and cornucopia, star behind, BMC pl. 99.8.

The middle part of the standard is weakly struck or worn away. The "snake" is the curved handle often attached to the lower part of a standard, for example BMC IV pl. 78.3, the two standards on the right.
Curtis Clay

Offline timka

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Re: Commodus denarius with strange SNAKE
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2019, 03:20:58 pm »
Curtis, thank you!  It can be Fides then... it looks like Fides with missing Ń€arts of standard as you noted. Many thanks!

Offline timka

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Re: Commodus denarius with strange SNAKE
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2019, 03:29:02 pm »
...following your direction I even found the coin from the same dies... so it is Fides

thx!


http://www.museuprehistoriavalencia.org/nomisma/id/es/44615


 

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