408, Lot: 493. Estimate $150. Sold for $160. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Commodus. AD 177-192. AR Denarius (15mm, 3.76 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. Head right, wearing lion-skin headdress / HER-CVL/RO-MAN/AV-GV in three lines divided by upright club; all within wreath. RIC III 251; MIR 18, 853-4/72; RSC 190. VF, bright surfaces.

Over the later part of Commodus’ reign, numerous events suggest the emperor was becoming mentally ill. Sources tell us that Commodus thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules. It is said that in public spectacles he would dress in the manner of Hercules and bludgeon prisoners to death with a club.