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Bruttia Crispina (164? – 183? AD) hailed from a wealthy, aristocratic family that had a strong history in supporting Rome’s “good Emperors” Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. When Crispina was barely a teenager, her influential family arranged her marriage to the teenaged Commodus, the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Around the same time, Commodus was promoted to co-Augustus, and Crispina was bestowed the title of Augusta, which she shared with her sister-in-law Lucilla.
The news of Rome’s beautiful new Augusta was advertised across the Empire, including on this rare denarius struck in Rome circa 180 AD. The observes depicts the Augusta’s youthful, draped bust and the epithet CRISPINA AVGVSTA. The coin’s reverse depicts the intriguing scene of a flaming alter and the inscription DIS GENI TALI BVS. The design references the Dei Genitales, divinities worshiped as parents to all things animate and inanimate. In this instance, the phrase
dis genitalibus is meant to be a blessing to foster fertility, and/or a dedication to ensure a safe gestation and childbirth.
Apparently, the dedication did not succeed - there are no records of any offspring resulting from the union between Crispina and Commodus. If this coin was struck in anticipation of the birth of a new heir, maybe that child died at birth. Neonatal (and maternal) mortality rates were very high in ancient Rome, even for those with access to imperial-class, state-of-the-art healthcare. Compounding the situation, Rome was being ravaged by the Antonine plague, which was responsible for perhaps thousands of deaths on a daily basis. Given the circumstances, it is no wonder that the ancient Romans tried to promote a healthy outcome for pregnant mother and child by seeking divine support. While such a theme is often found on ancient Roman coins, it should ne noted that this is the only issue depicting the Dei Genitales.
Crispina’s union with Commodus was not only childless, but also disharmonious. Her husband grew increasingly megalomaniacal and paranoid, especially after ascending to sole Augustus upon Marcus Aurelius’ death in 180 AD. The young Emperor’s outrageous behavior included adulterous escapades requiring a personal harem hundreds of women and men strong. The situation came to a crisis around 182 AD when Crispina’s sister-in-law Lucilla hatched a plot to eliminate Commodus. According to one theory that is consistent with (but by no means proven by) the existence of this coin, Crispina became pregnant, which motivated an ambitious and jealous Lucilla to take action. Another, more plausible view is that Crispina conspired with Lucilla in desperation.
In any case, the plot against Commodus failed, and a most displeased Emperor exiled both Empresses to the island of Capri (in Crispina’s case, the official charge was – ironically - adultery). Later, Commodus had a charge of heart, and both women were executed.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Crispina. Augusta, AD 178-182, AR Denarius (18mm, 2.93 g, 12h), Rome mint, Struck under Commodus, NGC Grade: Ch XF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Draped bust right, CRISPINA AVGVSTA, Reverse: DIS GENI TALI BVS around a flaming altar. RIC III 281 (Commodus); MIR 18, 9-4a; RSC 16.