Ave!
Syria, Cyrrhus, Commodus, Zeus the Protector Reverse
Cyrrhus Mint, ca. 177-180 AD Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, co-emporers.
Æ 22mm/8.4gm
Con/ Struck slightly off-center on each side, otherwise, Very Fine. Crisp portrait of Commodus, near complete legends, dark brown patina. An excellent example of this scarce issue!
Obv/ [ΑΥΤΟ] ΚΑΙ Λ ΑΥΡΗΛ ΚΟΜΜΟΔΟ? ?ΕΒ; laureate head of Commodus (youthful), right.
Rev/ ΔΙΟ? ΚΑΤΕΒΑΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΡΗ?ΤΩΝ, Δ (in r. field); Zeus Kataibates seated on rock, left, holding thunderbolt over eagle and long scepter.
Ref/ BMC 28
Seller's Note/ Zeus Kataibates was the protector of the Oikos (the religious life of the household) from lightning and thunderbolts! In ancient times, monuments and altars to Zeus Kataibates were erected on the site of lightning strikes. In typical household worship, similar altars were dedicated to the God in the courtyard.