Crispina, Augusta, 178-182. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.04 g, 6 h), struck under Commodus, Rome. CRISPINA AVGVSTA Draped bust of Crispina to right. Rev. HIL-A-RITAS Hilaritas standing left, holding palm branch in right hand, cornucopiae in left. BMC 40. Cohen 18. RIC 282 (Commodus). With an unusual scowling gaze. Reverse softly stuck, otherwise, good very fine.
From a Dutch collection, acquired from H.J. Berk.
Crispina was the wife of Commodus and came from a consular family. Her father, Gaius Bruttius Praesens, was a distinguished senator and a friend of Marcus Aurelius and they undoubtedly decided that Crispina would be an excellent match for Commodus. Unfortunately, he apparently disliked her and after the conspiracy of Lucilla in 181/2, she was exiled and probably executed (coins in her honor cease to be issued in 182).