Coins of Crispus

I've collected several coins of this tragic figure of Roman history and studied most all what has been written about him and his demise. While there is little doubt that his and Fausta's death are related, there is no concise agreement on what transpired to make the ill tempered emperor Constantine kill his 1st born son, great and beloved general and heir apparent. We are left only with innuendos and speculations. What do you think?

POST YOUR COINS AND COMMENTS PEEPS

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

CRISPUS (317 - 326 A.D.)
Æ(S) FOLLIS
O: IVL CRIS-PVS NOB C, Laureate head right.
R: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, VOT X in wreath, mintmark Delta SIS sunburst in ex.
3.8g
20mm
Sisca Mint
RIC-181D

 

I've read all the reasons why too so I'm open to any new interpretations...

a Crispus and Fausta follis:


WOW!! Matt just posted a super example of Crispus---What a terrific portrait!!!

 

Great coins so far. Gregarious is your campgate Antioch mint? I still need one from there. The story of Fausta and Crispus is very fascinating.

I've got a couple more but no pics yet.

 

I read a pretty compelling argument that Crispus and another member of Constantine's court were accused of...and I can't remember but it was some sort of treachery. Crispus paid with his life but the other guy wasn't in town at the time. Well, come to find out that his wife was behind the rumors and for that he had her killed. I'm going to have to dig through my notes and see if I can come up with the reference. In any case, here are some coins featuring Crispus:


Crispus Caesar, AD 317-326
Ӕ Follis, 18m, 3.1g, 6h; London mint, AD 318
Obv.: FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, Laureate draped cuirassed bust right
Rev.: PRINCIPIA I-VVENTVTIS; Crispus standing right in military dress, holding spear and shield, crescent in left field
In Ex.: PLN


Crispus, AD 317 - 326
AE, follis, 3.01g, 19mm; 6h; Aquileia mint
Obv.: CRISPVS NOB CAES; laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev.: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, VOT / (dot) / V in laurel wreath
In Ex.: (dot) A[Q]S (dot)

 

One of mine;

 

A couple of mine...

Crispus - AE3

Obv:– CRISPVS NOB CAES, Laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– BEATA TRANQVILLITAS, Altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX, surmounted by globe with plain vertical lines and diagonals between horizontal lines, three stars above
Minted in Lugdunum C | R / PLC). A.D. 321
Reference:– RIC VII Lugdunum 133. Bastien XIII 102



Crispus - AE3

Obv:– FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Crispus standing right holding spear and globe
Minted in Trier (T | F //dot ATR).
Reference(s) – RIC VII Trier 141

 

i believe it is @Ajax

 

Centenionalis, Siscia mint, RIC 165

 

My only Crispy Critter:


RI Crispus 317-326 CE AE Folles Caesar in Trier Campgate - Heraclea mint

 

Nice coins all. Here's a few more.

VIRTVS AVGG; Closed door Campgate


ALAMANNIA DEVICTA:



VIRTVS EXERCITI (not the best but tough to find)

 

Wow, gregarious => congrats on scoring those five winners!!

Crispus, eh? ... I'll take a look

=> oh wait, here's one ...

 

Both Fausta and Crispus are on the "anepigraphic" series, which dates the series to before their deaths (in 326).

CRISPVS CAESAR
SMANTE
8 mm. 11:320. 1.99 grams
RIC VII Antioch 53, page 686. Struck "324-5"
The anepigraphic types in this group are far more common from Antioch than from other mints. I don't know why.

 

That reverse! Super coin man!

That is a stunning coin! Love it!

 

Some really nice Crispies in this thread! After coming across the following in a restaurant menu, I never fail to think on the tragedy of Crispus when scarfing down my wife's delicious pancakes...


On the other hand, I now always think of my wife's delicious pancakes whenever a Crispus thread comes up. Mmmmh, Crispus......

 

kool coin and info Z.

 

kool reverse on that one steve!

 

i've never seen that reverse. super nice!