Crispus (Caesar) 317 - 326 A.D.
| Coin Description | Crispus, AE 18mm, Grade??, The coin has a lovely desert patina (that's the fancy name for the dirt between the letters and around the portrait and I have to totally agree it looks stunning and is a good name for it), This coin didn't come from an uncleaned lot but was bought on e-bay. |
| Obverse | The portrait is of Crispus a laureate bust facing right. The legend reads IVL CRISPVS NOB C meaning: IVL (his first name Iulius) CRISPVS (his name) NOB C (Nobilitas Caesar / Royal Heir to the throne). |
| Reverse |
The reverse shows a wreath with the letters VOT X which translates as: Votis X which means vows for a successful reign of 10 years. This derives from the Roman custom of offering vows of a certain sacrifice to the Gods in return for the granting of some favor or wish. During his reign, the emperor would offer vows to safeguard the people and the state for a certain period. When the end of this period was reached (in this case 10 years his Decennalia) he would make the sacrifices in fulfillment of those vows. The vows were usually a money sacrifice paid to the pagan gods. (later and maybe in Crispus' case it was paid to the Catholic Church). (note that they only paid on delivery of the goods The legend surrounding the wreath reads: CAESARVM NOSTRORVM meaning: the prince / heir-apperent (Caesar) of our people (Nostrorum). |
| Mint | The exergue reads
ASIS 
meaning the 1st workshop (alpha) of Siscia
with a so-called sunburst mark. |
| The Entire Story | The entire story of this coin would read: Iulius Crispus the heir to the throne who makes his ten year vows. It clearly puts Crispus forth as heir to the throne on both the obverse and the reverse (Nobilitas Caesar and Caesarum Nostrorum. |
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