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177-192 AD - COMMODUS AE sestertius - struck 186 AD
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obv: M COMMODVS ANT P - FELIX AVG BRIT (laureate head right)
rev: P M TR P XI - IMP [VII] - COS V P P (Commodus standing left on platform, raising hand and holding scepter, facing four soldiers to left), S C across fields, FID EXERCIT in ex.
ref: RIC III 468b, Cohen 136 (20frcs)
23.63gms, 30mm
Very rare
ex Numismatic LANZ
Historical background: Under Commodus reign Sextus Tigidius Perennis was the Pretorian Prefect who exercised the chief responsibilities of government in the Roman Empire. In 185 Perennis was implicated in a plot to overthrow the emperor by his political rival Marcus Aurelius Cleander, and Commodus gave them permission to execute him as well as his wife and sons. After this Commodus received the title of FELIX. This coin shows when the emperor proclaimed the executions to soldiers, and the FIDES EXERCITUS means the aggreement between the emperor and the legions.
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