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Nomos 19

17 November 2019
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich
overview
Estimate: 75000 CHF
Hammer Price:  150000 CHF
Lot 280

Commodus, 177-192. Medallion (Bimetallic, copper and orichalcum, 60 x 9 mm, 206.00 g, 12 h), with raised edges, Rome, undated, but c. 189- 191. Laureate and heroically bare 3/4 bust of Commodus with the attributes of Jupiter to left, slight drapery over his shoulders, holding, with his right hand, orb bearing Victory standing to right, and, with his left, thunderbolt; around, an inner circle of pellets, separated by a flat area from the raised edge. Rev. TSOF Mountain, (surely Mt. Argaeus in Cappadocia) of triangular shape, formed of what seem to be large boulders: two, of large size, at the base (at the left and right), along the slope, and, at the top (a cairn-like group of smaller stones); at the center, the opening of a cavern or grotto; at the top, quadriga of galloping horses driven by a male charioteer (Commodus as Sol?) – heroically nude save for a cloak around his waist – his right arm outstretched to left and his left, held behind his back, holding the reins (?); on the left slope, between two trees, rider (Phosphoros/Lucifer, the Morning Star?) galloping upwards to left, holding a long torch in his outstretched left hand; on the right hand slope, again between two trees, rider (Hesperos, the Evening Star?) galloping downwards, holding a torch in his right hand; pouring forth from the cavern to the left, a cascade (?) over which is the lupa romana standing right, with twins below (?); at the bottom center, omphalos (?) flanked by two upwardly moving crocodiles; above omphalos, boar at bay to right; in field to left, seven six-pointed stars; in field to right, above horseman, seven six-pointed stars; around, an inner circle of pellets, separated from the raised edge by a flat area. Apparently unpublished and unknown, but for medallions with heroic busts of Commodus, see Gnecchi II, pp. 52-53, 7 passim = Banti 62-63 (left facing, with aegis and spear); Gnecchi II, p. 61, 88 = Banti 286 (left facing, with shield, aegis and spear); Gnecchi II, p. 61, 87 = Banti 284 (right facing, with aegis); Gnecchi II p. 65, 125 = Banti 388 (right facing, with aegis). Of the highest rarity, unique. A spectacular and impressive medallion, with an extraordinarily fine bust of Commodus and an especially unusual reverse. With a dark, blackish-green patina. Very professionally cleaned and freed from very heavy deposits; some very minor double-striking, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From a European private collection since c. 2000, but only professionally cleaned c. 2018.

I would like to very warmly thank Andrew Burnett, Kathrin Siegl and Bernhard Woytek for their kindness in looking at this medallion and giving us their opinion on its highly exciting reverse type: whatever is correct in its description here can be ascribed to them, the mistakes are, as always, my own. It is not uncommon for a hitherto unknown coin to appear on the market: they have been doing so since the Renaissance. But when the portrait it bears is spectacular, its reverse type is extraordinary, and its inscription is enigmatic, as here, the coin is truly on another level! That Commodus should be holding Victory on a globe is not surprising, but that he should have the thunderbolt of Jupiter is yet another piece of evidence of his increasing megalomania. The reverse is equally extraordinary, especially for a medallion minted in Rome: why should it have Mt. Argaeus on it? At present we can suggest no answer to that conundrum, but the mountain we see here is remarkably close to the views of Mt. Argaeus that appear on didrachms and drachms of Trajan on the coinage of Caesarea (as RPC 3027-3028, 3046 ff.), so the identification should be correct. Interestingly enough, Phosphoros/Lucifer does appear on another medallion reverse of Commodus: see Gnecchi p. 52, 3-4 = pl. 78, 3-4, struck c. 190/191. As for the enigmatic letters TSOF on the reverse, no one has been able to provide a satisfactory explanation, but perhaps it is on the line of Tempus Saeculorum Omnia Felicia?.

Online bidding closes: 17 Nov 2019, 10:00:00 CET Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 12:32:42 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:150000 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 17 November 2019 at 10:00 CET. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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