Superb Crispus

I've had a coin of Crispus in my "To Buy List" for the longest time. I've always had a soft spot for this capable and affable prince who was brutally murdered by the evil emperor Constantine, a despicable ruler whom history has treated far too kind.

Yet despite my desires to have a coin of the beloved and courageous Crispus, none of the examples I saw ever really moved me... until recently. I think I finally found the right coin of this amazing prince whose life was cut short to satisfy the perverted whim of the cruel despot Constantine. I hope you guys like it.

Please feel free to share your own coins of Crispus.


Crispus
Ae 3 317-336 CE
Siscia Mint


And of course, here is the murderer. With a father like him who needs enemies?

 

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Lovely looking example.

 

Here's a Crispus from my collection. Trier mint with interesting sheild decoration. Also a good example of how quickly I can respond in a parking lot with mobile access to my photos via DropBox (see other thread!).

 

That IS a superb example. Here's a humbler example of this type from the Siscia mint:


Crispus, AD 316-326.
Roman AE centenionalis, 2.93 g, 18.2 mm, 6 h.
Siscia, AD 320-321
Obv: IVL CRISPVS NOB C, laureate head, right.
Rev: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around wreath enclosing VOT X; ЄSIS* in exergue.
Refs: RIC 165; Cohen 44; RCV 16772.

 

Here are 2 coins of both son and father. They were both struck in Siscia. BTW.. The coin of the father (The Great) was rated R5.

 

I like yours a lot too. He looks younger in yours.

 

Low grade but the Thessalonika issue that spelled out CRISPVS NOBILISSIMVS CAES.


If what we remember about Crispus, maybe we need a handsom, older portrait like this Nicomedia.

 

Nice Crisupus, Sallent! I am yet to get a coin of the wonderful Crispus, but I do have a couple of his father, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Here's one minted in the new Roman Capital, Constantinople. Its one of the more admirable things Emperor Constantine did in his lifetime that helped preserve the Empire for more than a millennia after his death.

 

Crispus from various mints:

CRISPUS
AE3
OBVERSE: IVL CRISPVS NOB C; laureate head right
REVERSE: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM; VOT X in wreath; ΔSIS wreath in exergue
Struck at Siscia 321-324 AD
2.9g, 18.5mm
RIC VII Siscia 178
Ex JAZ Numismatics

CRISPUS
AE3
OBVERSE: D N FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: PROVIDEN TIAECAESS Jupiter stg. l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on scepter, holding Victory on globe. In field to l., palm branch; in field to r., dot A; in exergue, SMN
Struck at Nicomedia 317 - 320 A.D
2.92g, 18mm
RIC VII 32

CRISPUS
AE Follis
OBVERSE: CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate, cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI, Sol standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding globe and raising right hand. Crescent in left field. Mintmark PLN. Toone 194; Bourton-on-the-Water hoard 1464-1466
Struck at London 318 AD
3.2, 21mm
RIC VII 144

CRISPUS
Follis
OBVERSE: CRISPVS NOB CAES, Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
REVERSE: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS, Mars, naked except for helmet and boots, chlamys flying out behind, advancing right holding transverse spear and shield. R-S across fields, QARL in ex.
Struck at Arles , 317AD
2.27g, 18mm.
RIC VII 129

 

A boyish portrait from Trier.

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 (R1)



An older portrait from Arles.

Crispus - AE3
Obv:– CRISPVS NOB C, Laureate head right
Rev:– CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, Wreath enclosing VOT X.
Minted in Arles (//T*AR).
Reference(s) – RIC VII Arles 254 (C1)

 

That is a beautiful coin @Sallent ! Well done, nice eye.

Agreed on CI, personally, I never felt comfortable about this Emperor.

My Crispus:


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

 

@ C-A. Do you realize that the reverse of your coin reads DAFNE at the end ?

 

Yes! Victor wrote a marvelous article about these types of coins: http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/DAFNE/

 

I can share a air of Crispus coins:


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)

 

that's a purdy nice one!.. i've collected a few of him. his is a sad story. here's e pluribus unum...

 

No Crispus yet but here's a Delmatius...
another prince who met an untimely death.

 

Always have been partial to the VIRTVS trophy reverse types, especially the earlier ones. Trier had some nice ones.


The shield and spear obverse type is attractive too.

But why trash Constantine over the young man's demise? Fausta set him up in her ambition for her sons.

 

great looks here

 

Crispus (316-326 A.D.) Follis
Obv: Laureate bust facing right
IVL CRISPVS NOB C
Rev: VOT V within wreath, A SIS in exergue
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM
(RIC VII 161)


Crispus, AE3, Nicomedia mint (317-320 A.D.)
Obv: Laureate and draped bust left, holding globe, scepter, and mappa
D N FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES
Rev: Jupiter standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding sceptre and Victory on a globe offering a wreath. Palm branch in left field, dot over A in right field. SMN in exergue
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
(RIC VII 31) R4

 

Great coin, Sallent - fantastic portrait, and I like the rising sun mintmark as well!

Crispus seems to be one of my favourites. Here's one from the beginning of his tenure as Caesar (317-18), the Thessalonica issue that Doug also posted with the rare obverse legend:


And one of the earliest Christian symbols on a coin, the chi-rho on his shield, c. 322-23 (Trier):


My version of the OP, though Trier, 323-24:


And back to Thessalonica for a coin issued just before his murder in 326: