Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 106 9-10 May 2018
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Crispus caesar, 316 – 326. Solidus, Sirmium circa 323, AV 4.39 g. FL IVL CRIS – PVS NOB CAES Nude and laureate bust l., holding spear pointing forward and shield on l. shoulder. Rev. CONCOR – D – IA AVGG NN Concordia seated l., holding caduceus in r. hand and cornucopiae in l.; in exergue, SIRM. C –, cf. 56 (laureate and cuirassed bust). RIC 39. Alföldi 17. Depeyrot 7/3.
Very rare. A very interesting and appealing portrait struck on a full flan. Extremely fine
Ex Gorny & Mosch sale 211, 2013, 676.
Much like Germanicus three centuries earlier, Crispus was a young man of tremendous potential who was cut down in his prime due to family intrigues. As the eldest son of Constantine - and the only one from his early association with Minervina - Crispus was at least twenty years older than any of the three stepbrothers his father later sired by Crispus' stepmother Fausta. Needless to say, this greatly concerned Fausta, who not only wanted the throne for her three boys, but who no doubt feared for their safety until they became old enough to defend themselves. Making matters worse for Fausta were the obvious talents of Crispus. In the First Licinian War (316-317) he had distinguished himself as a skilful naval commander by winning a great victory that allowed his father to defeat Licinius much sooner than might otherwise have been expected. Crispus clearly had an enemy in Fausta, and one that proved more difficult to defeat than an armada. By popular account Fausta accused her stepson of making uninvited advances on her, which so incensed Constantine that he called for a trial in which Crispus was found guilty of the charge and was executed. Constantine later came to regret his hasty decision, for he soon put Fausta to death on the belief that she had invented the charge, and he erected a large golden statue of Crispus, honouring him as "the son whom I unjustly condemned".
Very rare. A very interesting and appealing portrait struck on a full flan. Extremely fine
Ex Gorny & Mosch sale 211, 2013, 676.
Much like Germanicus three centuries earlier, Crispus was a young man of tremendous potential who was cut down in his prime due to family intrigues. As the eldest son of Constantine - and the only one from his early association with Minervina - Crispus was at least twenty years older than any of the three stepbrothers his father later sired by Crispus' stepmother Fausta. Needless to say, this greatly concerned Fausta, who not only wanted the throne for her three boys, but who no doubt feared for their safety until they became old enough to defend themselves. Making matters worse for Fausta were the obvious talents of Crispus. In the First Licinian War (316-317) he had distinguished himself as a skilful naval commander by winning a great victory that allowed his father to defeat Licinius much sooner than might otherwise have been expected. Crispus clearly had an enemy in Fausta, and one that proved more difficult to defeat than an armada. By popular account Fausta accused her stepson of making uninvited advances on her, which so incensed Constantine that he called for a trial in which Crispus was found guilty of the charge and was executed. Constantine later came to regret his hasty decision, for he soon put Fausta to death on the belief that she had invented the charge, and he erected a large golden statue of Crispus, honouring him as "the son whom I unjustly condemned".