177 NGC Ch XF Crispina Roman Empire Denarius Commodus Wife Venus (24011601C)
Choice Extremely Fine Roman Empire silver denarius coin.
Struck for Empress Crispina at the Rome Mint.
Issued 177-183 CE, RIC 286a (rated as scarce), approx 17mm.
Certified by NGC to Ch XF.
Superb portrait!
Lightly toned with underlying luster.
Obverse: CRISPINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right.
Reverse: VENVS, Venus standing front, head left holding apple and drawing up fold of drapery on left shoulder.
Venus was the Roman Goddess of Love.
Crispina was the wife of Emperor Commodus and daughter of L. Fulvius Bruttius Praeseus. Crispina married Commodus, in the summer of 178 (probably July). The actual ceremony was modest but it was commemorated on coinage and largesse was distributed to the people. Like many marriages of young members of the upper orders, it was an arranged marriage: Crispina's father and Marcus Aurelius (Commodus’ father) had arranged for it to occur. Commodus disliked Crispina, presumably due to her character. She was a beautiful woman, but said to be vain and haughty. She received the title of Augusta.
In 182, Crispina may have been pregnant. She was accused of adultery or treason by her husband and exiled to the island of Capri where she was executed. Her fall is sometimes associated with the conspiracy of Lucilla in 181 or 182. This is consistent with the coinage at Alexandria, where her coinage runs from 178/9 only to 182/3 or 181/2. Alternatively, her fall may have taken place after 187.
