Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, was made Caesar at the age of five. At ten he was presented to the army and assumed his father's title Germanicus. In AD 177 he was granted the titles Augustus and pater patriae. To celebrate their victories Commodus and Aurelius gave a donative in the same year. The obverse legend L AVREL distinguishes Commodus' coinage as co-emperor from later issues (identified as M. Aurelius Commodus Antoninus) when he became sole ruler in AD 180. Commodus was openly hostile to the senate and his reign showed marked signs of corruption.

Over time his personality became increasingly unstable. He also identified himself with a number of divinities, Jupiter and Hercules in particular - this megalomania was reflected in coinage from the period. When Commodus proposed to assume the consulate dressed as a gladiator, he was assassinated.

Obv. Laureate Commodus facing right, IMP CAES L AVREL COMMODVS (GERM SARM - not shown).
Rev. Distribution scene, with Aurelius and Commodus, officer, Liberalitas and citizen, TR P II COS SC LIBERALITAS AVG.