Kyzikos (AD 177-192) AE 41 - Commodus

Commodus, 177-192 AD. AE41 - Medallion (35.04g, 12h). Struck circa 191-192 AD. AV KAI [Î›] M AV KOMMOÎ”[O]C AN[T CÐ„B Ð„VC Ð„VT POMAIOC HP]AKÎ›HC, laureate bust right, with lionâ€™s skin tied around neck, club over shoulder / NÐ„-O[K]O-[PÎ©N] KVZIKHNÎ©[N], two large baskets containing branches and set on tall stands, each being raised by three men holding supports; two additional men standing on supports, two altars or bases before baskets, star-in-crescent above each basket. Fine, rough brown surfaces, pierced. Extremely rare and possibly unique.

This type cannot be adequately explained, but must refer to some local myth or cult practice. The Vienna piece shares the same reverse scene but is smaller and must be earlier in date, with a younger portrait shown laureate, draped, and cuirassed.

File information
Filename:	3510496.jpg
City/Mint name:	Kyzikos
Keywords:	roman / bronze
References:	??? Unpublished in the standard references, but see RPC Online temp. no. 9689 for a similar piece in Vienna. For the same obverse die, see SNG Hunterian 1213
Valuation:	CNG Elec. Auc. 351 (5/2015), lot 496 ($800 + comm)
Photo courtesy of:	Classical Numismatic Group - www.cngcoins.com
Filesize:	215 KiB
Date added:	Jun 03, 2015
Dimensions:	800 x 397 pixels
Displayed:	301 times
URL:	http://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=12547
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