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The Alexandrian coinage of Commodus (AD 175-192) is dominated by billon tetradrachms with the head or bust of the Emperor mainly accompanied by the legend Μ(ΑΡΚΟΣ) Α(VΡΗΛΙΟΣ) ΚΟ(ΜΜΟΔΟΣ) ΑΝΤΩ(ΝΙΝΟΣ) CΕΒ(ΑΣΤΟΣ) ΕV(CΕΒΗΣ). This paper discusses a die study of 2,189 coins which shed light on the output of the Egyptian mint of that period. The metrological and iconographic studies led to a revision of the propaganda of the Emperor through coinage. While the low ratio of coins to obverse dies (1 for 2 approximately) is not conclusive, it sheds light on how the Emperor focused on certain types, which ultimately led to his deification (as shown by the overwhelming presence of Zeus on the reverse) and mirroring his representations as Heracles. The series struck by Commodus in Alexandria also suggest a change from the iconographical syncretism developed by his predecessors on bronze coinage.
