Crispus Just Finished

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Inspector43, Jun 6, 2020.

  1. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    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
    Crispus Beata Tran Obv.jpg Crispus Beata Tran Rev.jpg
     
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  3. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    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.
    rw5650bb2154.jpg
    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.
     
  4. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    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?
     
  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    In RIC, busts are assumed to face right unless otherwise noted with an 'l' following the code.
    Yes.
     
    Inspector43 likes this.
  6. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..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.. Chinese cripus fausta 002.JPG cripus reverse 002.JPG
     
  7. Victor_Clark

    Victor_Clark all my best friends are dead Romans Dealer

    it's definitely not a gorgon on inspector's coin, they are very distinctive. Below is an example

    6DogMm9qjeC2E4nYbkN3QL5y8xPHsW.jpg

    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.
     
  8. Carausius

    Carausius Brother, can you spare a sestertius?

    Would be fun to see examples of the various other shield engravings.
     
    Inspector43 likes this.
  9. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    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.
     
    Broucheion likes this.
  10. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    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?
     
    PeteB likes this.
  11. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    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.
     
  12. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    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 - AE Altar Trier Sep 2027 (0).jpg

    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
     
    ominus1, Alegandron, PeteB and 3 others like this.
  13. Archeocultura

    Archeocultura Well-Known Member

    Here's my 347, not the best, but clear shield. VII Trier 347 Crispus Beata 12 nr 958.jpg
     
  14. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    What did your coin look like before cleaning?
     
  15. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Very little detail. I couldn't make out details enough to look it up first. I am starting to take before photos now.
     
  16. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    CRISPUS

    [​IMG]
    RI Crispus 317-326 CE AE Folles Caesar in Trier Campgate - Heraclea mint
     
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