Watch List notes:

The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Crispina, wife of Commodus

Aureus circa 180-183, AV 7.41 g. CRISPINA – AVGVSTA Draped bust r., hair in coil at back. Rev. VENVS·FELIX Venus seated l., holding Victory and sceptre; below seat, dove standing l. C 39. BMC Commodus 47. RIC Commodus 287. Calicó 2377 (these dies).
Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very elegant portrait
well struck in high relief, good extremely fine


Provenance
Sold by Bank Leu, auction 10, Zurich, 29 May 1974, lot 208, estimated CHF 35'000, for CHF 85'000.
Sold by Bank Leu, auction 38, Zurich, 13 May 1986, lot 297.
Sold by Numismatica Ars Classica, auction 24 ("A European Nobleman"), Zurich, 5 December 2002, lot 121.
Sold by Numismatica Ars Classica, auction 59, Zurich, 4-5 April 2011, lot 1035.
The daughter of a nobleman who had campaigned alongside Marcus Aurelius against barbarians on the northern border of the empire, Crispina reportedly was an exceptionally beautiful woman, a fact which the portrait on this coin supports. She was married to the fifteen-year-old future emperor Commodus, but as he steadily became more paranoid and megalomaniacal, their relationship disintegrated, and they both partook in extramarital affairs. In 182 Crispina was banished to the island of Capri where she met her end by strangulation, presumably on the orders of her husband. The official reason given for her severe treatment was her adulterous activities, but more than likely it was because she, along with her sister-in-law Lucilla, was implicated in a failed plot to assassinate Commodus.