Author Topic: Crispus BEATA from Trier  (Read 689 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Victor

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4097
  • Country: us
  • all my best friends are dead Romans
    • Victor's Imperial Coins
Crispus BEATA from Trier
« on: March 14, 2016, 05:47:39 PM »
Here is a rare coin currently for sale...fortunately it is marked down from $16,000 to only $8,800  ::)

below is the dealers description...just ignore the hyperbole -- this seller is noted for his outrageous prices and bombastic descriptions



"Crispus Caesar

Trier Mint 323 AD

Obverse:  IVL CRIS-PVS NOB C High-crested helmeted and cuirassed (decorated with head of Medusa) bust left holding victory on globe, shield on shoulder decorated with ‘figure of emperor holding shield and spearing a bound and seated captive enemy, victory flies from background to crown him’

Reverse:  BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS Globe atop altar inscribed VO TIS XX, three stars above; (dot)PTR(Crescent) in exergue

References: RIC –, Alten & Zschucke 247a Bust Type 37 var (1st Officina) This bust type excessively rare

Size: 21mm, 2.06g

Numismatic Notes: A highly intriguing and excessively rare shield decoration! First, this but type with Crispus holding a victory on globe and helmeted is not listed in RIC for this type. RIC did not do a good job finding the variety of types of shields for this (or really any) series. In their work specifically dealing with the BEATA TRANQVILLITAS series of coinage entitled Die Romische Munzserie Beata Tranquillitas in der Pragestatte Trier 321-323 (2004), Dieter Alten and Carl-Friedrich Zschucke note this obverse type among 42 other interesting and rare shield decorations (obviously some are much rarer than others, this one being on the rarer side). Very clearly this decoration depicts a male figure (most likely the emperor, but it could also be a soldier) holding a shield and spearing a captive enemy at his feet. There is a third figure behind, which I have attributed to a flying victory crowning the emperor, given the placement of the hand above the head of the spear wielding figure. This is an extremely rare opportunity to own this coin as it's not likely to show up again any time soon!"