Crispus caesar, 317 – 326. Solidus, Antiochia 324-325, AV 4.46 g. FL IVL CRIS – PVS NOB CAES Laureate and nude bust l., seen from behind, shield on l. arm held by baldric and spear pointing forward. Rev. CONCORD – IA AVGG N N Concordia seated l., holding caduceus and cornucopiae; in r. field, star and, in exergue, SMAN. C 56 var. (also cuirassed). RIC 50 (this coin cited). Alföldi 20. Depeyrot 42/1.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A very
interesting portrait, virtually as struck and almost Fdc

Ex Hirsch XXII, 1908, 198; Hess-Leu 41, 1969, V. M. Brand, 569 and Leu 87, 2003, Perfectionist, 120 sales.
Much like Germanicus three centuries earlier, Crispus was a young man of tremendous potential who was cut down in his prime due to family intrigues. As the eldest son of Constantine – and the only one from his early association with Minervina – Crispus was at least twenty years older than any of the three stepbrothers his father later had sired by Crispus’ stepmother Fausta. Needless to say, this greatly concerned Fausta, who not only wanted the throne for her three boys, but who no doubt feared for their safety until they became old enough to defend themselves. Making matters worse for Fausta was the obvious talents of Crispus. In the First Licinian War (316-317) he had distinguished himself as a skillful naval commander by winning a great victory that allowed his father to defeat Licinius much sooner than might otherwise have been expected. Crispus clearly had an enemy in Fausta, and one that proved more difficult to defeat than an armada. By popular account Fausta accused her stepson of making uninvited advances on her, which so incensed Constantine that he called for a trial in which Crispus was found guilty of the charge and was executed. Constantine later came to regret his hasty decision, for he soon put Fausta to death on the belief that she had invented the charge, and he erected a large golden statue of Crispus, honoring him as "the son whom I unjustly condemned".