Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 127 17 Nov 2021
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Crispus caesar, 317 – 326
Solidus, Nicomedia 325-326, AV 4.37 g. Diademed head r. Rev. CRISPVS – CAESAR Victory striding l., holding wreath and palm branch. In exergue, N. C 59. RIC 110. Alföldi 91. Depeyrot 38/3.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very appealing portrait of excellent
style, almost invisible marks, otherwise virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Hess-Leu 26 March 1961, ESR, 419; Bankaus H. Aufhauser 17, 2003, 654; Aureo & Calicó 241, 2012, Imagines Imperatorum, 341 and Aureo & Calicó 300, 2017, Roma Aeterna, 201 sales.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NCG certification number 6157264-010
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 had 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 was the obvious talents of Crispus. In the First Licinian War (316-317) he had distinguished himself as a skillful 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, honoring him as \the son whom I unjustly condemned".
Solidus, Nicomedia 325-326, AV 4.37 g. Diademed head r. Rev. CRISPVS – CAESAR Victory striding l., holding wreath and palm branch. In exergue, N. C 59. RIC 110. Alföldi 91. Depeyrot 38/3.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very appealing portrait of excellent
style, almost invisible marks, otherwise virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Hess-Leu 26 March 1961, ESR, 419; Bankaus H. Aufhauser 17, 2003, 654; Aureo & Calicó 241, 2012, Imagines Imperatorum, 341 and Aureo & Calicó 300, 2017, Roma Aeterna, 201 sales.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NCG certification number 6157264-010
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 had 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 was the obvious talents of Crispus. In the First Licinian War (316-317) he had distinguished himself as a skillful 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, honoring him as \the son whom I unjustly condemned".