Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Crispina, wife of Commodus. Aureus, Roma 180-182, AV 7.29 g.

Description: 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.

References: C 39
BMC Commodus 48
RIC Commodus 287
Calicó 2377 (this reverse die)
Condition:Very rare and among the finest specimens known. A portrait of exquisite style, virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Provenance: Stack's sale November 1967, 907
Leu sale 72, 1999, 1538
The Hall Park McCullough collection

Note: The daughter of a nobleman who had campaigned alongside Marcus Aurelius against barbarians on the northern border of the empire, Crispina was reportedly an exceptionally beautiful woman, a fact supported by the portrait of this coin. 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 the failed plot to assassinate Commodus.