Æ42 - Commodus ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡ ΠΙοΥ ΚοΙΝΟΝ ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ Κ ΕΦΕϹΙ

This large bronze was struck during the brief joint administration of Pergamum and Ephesus — two cities that were chronic rivals for the title of "First City of Asia." The coin's legend naming both communities reflects a political arrangement, almost certainly brokered under Roman provincial pressure, designed to share the prestige of issuing coinage in honor of the new emperor. Commodus acceded to sole rule in March 180 AD following the death of Marcus Aurelius.

The magistrate named in the obverse legend, Pius, is otherwise poorly documented.