181AD Denarius of Emperor Commodus / Liberalitas

Classification: Roman Emperor, Roman Imperial (96-235AD)
Dynasty: Nerva–Antonine
Reign: Summer 177AD – 31 December 192AD.

Emperor Commodus ruled jointly with his Father Marcus Aurelius from 177AD until his Fathers death in 180AD, and then as sole Emperor until 31 December 192AD. He was considered a cruel Emperor and his death was by assassination.

Commodus performed as a Gladiator almost on a daily basis, had many megalomanic tendencies and his behaviour was erratic. He devalued the Roman currency, raised senatorial taxes, renamed cities after himself and even renamed the 12 months of the year after his (now) 12 names.

Commodus had a habit of having anyone who upset him killed, so when his wife Marcia found she was on a list of people to be executed, she and a few others on the list decided act first. Marcia poisoned Commodus' food but when he vomited the poison up his wrestling partner Narcissus strangled him in his bath. After his death the Senate declared him a public enemy and reversed his naming of cities and months back to the original names.

Commodus was the last of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax.

CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS
The Roman Empire was one of the largest Empires in history, covering most of Europe, Britain, parts of Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. It was in existence from 27BC to 476AD, more than 500 years. And all these places used Roman coins throughout the era.

Originally coins were minted only in Rome, but by the third Century there were mints in other countries too. These mints sometimes produced more than 2 million coins per month to meet demand. Coins typically depicted the Emperor on one side and some other image or letters on the other. During the Empire, more than 10,000 different types of coins were created using copper, silver and gold.

Roman coins are usually classified as:

- Roman Republican Coins (about 300BC - 27BC)
- Roman Imperial Coins (27BC - 96AD)
- Roman Imperial Coins (96AD - 235AD)
- Roman Imperial Coins (235AD - 476AD)
- Roman Provincial Coins

The Denarius was the standard Roman silver coin and there were a range of others. As a guide, in the early republic (after 211BC) there was the Sestertius (=4 denarii), Dupondius (=5), As (=10, a tenner), Semis (=20), Quincunx (=24), Triens (=30), Quadrans (=40), Uncia (=120) and Solidus (=1000, it was gold). Values fluctuated later due to debasement and inflation.

The standard gold coin was the Aureus and was equal to 25 denarii or 100 sestertii. It's not far off the weight of a modern gold sovereign. The Aureus was introduced by Julius Caesar around 49BC and was the principal gold coin until about the 4th century when it was replaced by the gold Solidus.

The great part of this is that you can put together a really nice Roman coin collection with very little money, as many coins (although not all) are common and inexpensive. The coins are the best part of 2000 years old and are exciting to collect.

For more information see our articles:

• Why Roman Coins Are NOT Expensive
• List of Roman Emperors

The origins of the Rome mint are from the manufacture of a silver coin near to the Temple of Juno Moneta back in 269BC. Juno was the personification of money.

Due to the size of the Roman Empire, Rome could not produce all the coins needed and Roman mints were set up in 27 locations, and there were more than 600 provincial mints scattered about the Empire. During overseas campaigns, Generals such as Caesar and Marc Anthony would mint their own coins to pay their armies.

Mint marks were used on the coins to differentiate the mint of manufacture.
The Roman Empire ran from 27BC to 476AD and was the post-Republican period of ancient Rome. It covered a large territory of Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. It was ruled by an Emperor.