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177-192 Roman Empire Commodus silver denarius, Rome mint, obverse engraved Laureate head of Commondus right, lettering L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, reverse engraved Felicitas standing left, holding standard and cornucopia, start in left field, lettering P M TR P XVII IMP VIII COS VII P P, D: 17 mm, 2.18 grams. Felicitas was the goddess or personification of happiness, good fortune, and success. She played an important role in Rome's state religion during the empire and was frequently portrayed on coins. She became a prominent symbol of the wealth and prosperity of the Roman Empire. L Aelius Aurelius Commodus was the son of emperor Marcus Aurelius and empress Faustina II. Caesar in 177 A.D., Commodus succeeded his father as Augustus in 180. His rule of twelve years quickly degenerated into debauchery, paranoia, and insanity. He actually believed he was Hercules reincarnated and even participated in gladiatorial contests. The empire was directed by his unscrupulous favorites while the emperor amused himself in whatever decadent way he saw fit. His assassination in 192 A.D. was viewed as a blessing by most Romans of the day. PROVENANCE: Private collection of Ken Dorney, classical numismatist dealer