I just finished cleaning this Crispus. As always, comments or corrections are welcome. Crispus Beata Tranquillitas Trier Mint PTR Dot Bust LC-SP-SH RIC VII Trier 346 322 AD R5 Rarity
RIC 346 is obverse code G5 which is a right facer. Yours is RIC 347, bust G5L facing Left and a C2. I believe mine is a 372 (G3=common as dirt) adding a dot before the STR (second officina) but loses enough mintmark that it is not really identifiable. My coin was given to me for free in 2000 as a bonus with another purchase and probably its ID muddle had something to do with that gift. The question here is whether your coin with so many cleaning scratches is better because the ID is clear. A note in RIC mentions that a few of the 347 had a head of Medusa on the shield. Yours has some bumps there but I am not sure that I could talk myself into it being a Medusa. I hope you did not polish it away. Mine has the optional (mentioned in footnote) sash across the bust but no statistics are given as to the rarity of that. I definitely do not have a Medusa. Comment: Clean gently.
Thanks for the help @dougsmit This coin was in very bad shape when I got it. I have worked on it for weeks. I don't think I polished anything away. But, I am learning more everyday. So, he is facing his right with the spear over his right shoulder. But, to identify he is facing my left. Is that correct?
..i have 7 coins of Crispus...i got emotionally involved in that lil drama of the time...i'll tell you all about it ...sometime......here's one for S & G'S..
it's definitely not a gorgon on inspector's coin, they are very distinctive. Below is an example fun fact- the book by Alten and Zschucke “Die Romische Munzserie Beata Tranquillitas in der Pragestatte Trier 321-323” illustrates 42 different type of shield engravings like Chi-Rho, Medusa and wolf and twins.
You probably would want to know about the Notitia Dignitatum, a compendium which includes examples of shield patterns of hundreds of units in the Roman army at the end of the 4th century.
If that's the end product of conservation, it looks like a pretty good cleaning job to me. Perfect? No, but it was never going to be. You brought out some really nice detail there. Is there a "before" photo?
These were from lots that I got on line and most I had no idea what they were. Very dirty. But, I didn't take before photos. I have started to do that lately since it is an interest to many, myself included. But, I may have a photo of the lot. I will search. Thanks for the feedback. You guys are great with helping me learn a new leg of the hobby.
Nice cleaning job, Inspector43. I admire your patience and perseverance. I think this one has the plain shield - no gorgons, horsemen, etc. As with all LRBs, my attribution here is not backed by a phalanx of self-confidence: Crispus Æ 20 (322-323 A.D.) Trier Mint IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate, cuirassed bust left, spear over shoulder & shield / BEATA TRANQVILLITAS altar inscribed VO/TIS/XX, globe and three stars above, •PTR• in exergue. (2.15 grams / 20 mm) RIC VII, 374 Trier
Very little detail. I couldn't make out details enough to look it up first. I am starting to take before photos now.