Commodus, 177-192    VF denarius     V.M 39
M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG - Laureate head right
LIB AVG V TR P VII IMP IIII COS III P P - Liberalitas standing l. holding abacus and cornucopia
Refers to 5th donative of 182 A.D., upon the supression of the conspiracy of Lucilla, the Emperor's sister


Commodus, 177-192    aVF denarius     V.M 90     RIC-259a (r)
L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL - Laureate head right
PROVIDENTIAE AVG - Hercules stg with foot on prow, resting club on treetrunk, holding thunderbolt, clasping hands with Africa wearing elephant skin on head holding sistrum and ear of corn, lion at her feet.
Refers to the foresight of Commodus in reorganizing the N. African grain fleet ca. 192 A.D., which he renamed the Commodiana Herculea

Commodus, 177-192    aVF denarius     Sear 1620-a     V.M 21
L AVREL COMMODVS AVG - Head in lionskin right
HERCVL ROMAN AVGV- Inscription, divided by club, within wreath

This coin was minted around 191 A.D., later than the period covered in the story, when Commodus started thinking he was the reincarnation of Hercules (hence the lionskin and the club). But I wanted an excuse to buy this coin.