ROMAN EMPIRE: Commodus, 177-192 AD, AR denarius (2.80g), Rome, 191-192 AD, RIC-251, Cohen-190, head right, wearing lion skin headdress, L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL // HER-CVL / RO-MAN / AV-GV in three lines divided by club of Hercules, all within wreath, F-VF. This extraordinary type was adopted near the end of the ruinous reign of Commodus. Much to the chagrin of Roman society, the mad emperor had come to view himself as the living embodiment of Hercules, who was often depicted wearing the skin of the Nemean lion.