PHRYGIA. Ceretapa. Commodus, as Caesar, 166-177. Hexassarion (Bronze, 35 mm, 25.29 g, 7 h). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ•Λ• - ΑΥΡ•ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus to right. Rev. ΚЄΡЄΤΑΠЄΩΝ ΔΙΟΚΑΙϹΑΡƐΩΝ Marcus Aurelius, togate and on the left, holding scroll in his left hand and clasping right hand with Herakles, on the right, standing left, wearing lion skin headdress and resting left on club. RPC IV.2 online 1836.5 (this coin). Von Aulock, Phrygien I, 491-492. Very rare. Minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.


The reverse of this issue is interesting in two regards: first, it mentions Ceretapa's temporary epithet Diocaesaraea, which is only recorded on coins of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, and once more under Marcus Aurelius Augustus and Commodus Caesar. Secondly, it shows a togate Marcus Aurelius clasping hands with Herakles, Ceretapa's principal deity, clearly an adaptation of an earlier imperial reverse type showing Marcus Aurelius clasping his right hand with his co-ruler Lucius Verus.