Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 525 19-20 Oct 2022
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Constantine I, with Crispus and Constantine II Caesars. AD 307/310-337. AR Miliarense (22mm, 4.56 g, 6h). Sirmium mint. Struck AD 320. CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, bare head of Constantine I right / CRISPVS ET CONSTANTINVS CC, confronted bareheaded busts of Crispus and Constantine II; SIRM. RIC VII 14; Gnecchi p. 59, 1 & pl. 29, 8; Bastien, Donativa, p. 76, note 11; RSC 3. Toned, reverse scratch and light field marks. Fine. Very rare.
From the Conti Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 66 (19 May 2004), lot 1627.
This rare dynastic type, struck at the Danubian mint of Sirmium, depicts on the reverse Constantine's two elder sons - Flavius Julius Crispus, the issue of his liaison with one Minervina (his first wife or perhaps concubine), and Flavius Claudius Constantinus, the eldest of his three sons by Flavia Maxima Fausta, daughter of the emperor Maximianus. The bust of Crispus, who was probably aged between 18 and 25 at the time of the issue, is depicted larger and more mature than that of his half-brother, who was likely only three or four. This base silver coin, which is sometimes described as a 'small medallion' or a 'multiple,' is of an experimental denomination, which preceded the reintroduction of pure silver coinage circa AD 325. It should probably be called a miliarense (or miliarensis), which is the name applied to the pure silver coin of similar weight (4.5 grams = 1/72 of a pound) struck regularly after AD 325. Constantine's dynastic hopes for Crispus were dashed six years after this issue when he abruptly ordered his eldest son's execution under circumstances that remain mysterious.
From the Conti Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 66 (19 May 2004), lot 1627.
This rare dynastic type, struck at the Danubian mint of Sirmium, depicts on the reverse Constantine's two elder sons - Flavius Julius Crispus, the issue of his liaison with one Minervina (his first wife or perhaps concubine), and Flavius Claudius Constantinus, the eldest of his three sons by Flavia Maxima Fausta, daughter of the emperor Maximianus. The bust of Crispus, who was probably aged between 18 and 25 at the time of the issue, is depicted larger and more mature than that of his half-brother, who was likely only three or four. This base silver coin, which is sometimes described as a 'small medallion' or a 'multiple,' is of an experimental denomination, which preceded the reintroduction of pure silver coinage circa AD 325. It should probably be called a miliarense (or miliarensis), which is the name applied to the pure silver coin of similar weight (4.5 grams = 1/72 of a pound) struck regularly after AD 325. Constantine's dynastic hopes for Crispus were dashed six years after this issue when he abruptly ordered his eldest son's execution under circumstances that remain mysterious.