Commodus Roman Silver Denarius (AD 177-192) NGC

Own a certified Roman Silver Denarius of Commodus (AD 177–192), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin offers a direct connection to one of Rome’s most infamous emperors — a figure whose name has become synonymous with decadence and madness.

The son of the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, Commodus could not have been more different from his father. Rather than pursuing wisdom and stability, Commodus believed himself to be a living god. He filled Rome with statues of himself in divine poses, renamed the months of the year after his own titles, and even attempted to rechristen Rome itself as "Commodiana."

His increasingly erratic and autocratic behavior alienated the Senate, the aristocracy, and even his own inner circle. In 192 AD, after a particularly alarming descent into tyranny, Commodus was assassinated — strangled to death in his bath by order of the powerful prefect Laetus.

Commodus is widely recognized today as the emperor portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in the Academy Award-winning film Gladiator, a role that captured both the cruelty and theatricality of his rule.

Silver Denarii of Commodus typically feature his portrait, transitioning from youthful heir to self-aggrandizing god, while the reverses often depict deities, victories, or imperial propaganda celebrating his supposed divinity.

Certified by NGC, this Silver Denarius is a striking piece for collectors interested in Roman imperial history, infamous rulers, or coins connected to figures immortalized in modern popular culture.