Ancients: Crispina (AD 177-182/3). AV aureus (20mm, 7.21 gm, 5h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5....

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Gem Mint State Crispina Aureus

Crispina (AD 177-182/3). AV aureus (20mm, 7.21 gm, 5h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5. Rome, AD 180-183. CRISPINA-AVGVSTA, draped bust of Crispina right, seen from front, hair braided and waved along brow line and pulled into large, elaborate chignon at back of head / VEN-VS•F-ELIX, Venus, draped, seated left, grounded scepter in left hand, Victory or Cupid standing facing in outstretched right hand, holding diadem; dove standing left below strut. Calicó 2377. RIC III (Commodus) 287. A near perfect example of this captivating type.

From the Mirabilis Collection. Ex Altstetten Collection (Roma Numismatics, Auction XXV, 22 September 2022), lot 1043; kept in the vault of Crédit Suisse Geneva since 26 November 1969.

Bruttia Crispina came from a politically rich family of Roman senator's, thus it was no surprise when she married Commodus at just sixteen. Despite rumors of a pregnancy in AD 182 tied to competition with former empress Lucilla, she and Commodus never produced an heir. It would yield a dynastic crisis, leading to the execution of Lucius Antistius Burrus and Gaius Arrius Antoninus on suspicion of pretending the throne. Out of anger, Commodus would falsely accuse Crispina of adultery, banishing her to Capri where she would be executed in AD 191. Unfortunately for Commodus, his new mistress, Marcia, would have a hand in his assassination the following year.

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