The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Flavius Julius Crispus (c. 300-326 AD) was the child of Constantine the Great and Minervina. It is unclear whether Minervina was Constantine’s wife or concubine, in any case, Constantine later married Fausta, daughter of Maximian and sister of Maxentius, as part of a political deal paving the way for his ascension. Interestingly, the situation was similar to that Constantine’s mother and father: Constantius divorced Helen to further his political career. Perhaps following his father’s example, Constantine took in Crispus, and by all accounts was a loving and protective father. Crispus was well educated, taught by the most accomplished Christian teaches of the time. By 317 AD, the Roman Empire was divided between Constantine in the west and Licinius in the east, and at that time Crispus was named as co-Caesar, along with half-brother Constantine II. Since the latter was only an infant at the time, Crispus assumed all the duties of Caesar. Crispus was appointed Commander of Gaul, and in subsequent years achieved several military victories against the Franks and Alamanni. Returning to Rome in 322 AD he and his father were received by an adoring crowd. Thereafter, Crispus joined his father in campaigning against Licinius, to determine the fate of the entire Empire. Crispus successfully led two major battles (even when odds were against him), paving the way for his father to become sole Augustus of the entire Empire. This billon nummus was issued in the early 320s and depicts a laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Crispus declaring him noble Caesar, CRISPVS NOB CAES. On the verso is a laurel wreath, certainly reflecting military accomplishments, surrounded by the inscription DOMINOR NOSTROR CAESS, signifying “our Lord Caesar” (the double S denotes that there were co-Caesars, and very similar coins were issued for Constantine II). Within the wreath the letters VOT X are inscribed, signifying a vow for Caesar to serve for (at least) ten years. Alas, Crispus, though highly successful and the logical choice as heir (since his step brothers were much younger), did not reach a decade’s tenure. Suddenly in 326 AD, Constantine ordered the execution of Crispus, and several months later, his step-mother Fausta. The exact events leading up to Constantine’s termination of his formerly beloved son and wife are still debated. Most likely, he impetuously responded to Helen’s fabricated accusation of Crispus' attempted rape (on the theory she was jealous, wanting her own children to inherit the throne); when Constantine found out the truth later, he killed his deceitful wife as well. Whatever the exact proceedings, the result was that Constantine not only ordered the executions, but also declared damnatio memoriae upon Fausta and Crispus, thus their names and images expunged from existence, and never mentioned again. Nonetheless, some coins such as this one, happened to survive the condemnation. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Crispus, as Caesar 316-326 AD, AE3 (Billon Nummus) (2.63 g), Minted 320-321 AD at Ticinum, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, CRISPVS NOB CAES (no break), Reverse: DOMINOR dot NOSTROR dot CAESS around laurel wreath enclosing VOT /dot/X, TT in exergue (it should be noted that the certification incorrectly lists campgate for the verso), Reference: RIC VII 155.

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