Crispus, Caesar, 316-326. Follis (Bronze, 18 mm, 1.87 g, 6 h), Cyzicus, February 326. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Crispus to left. Rev. CRISPVS / CAESAR / SMKЄ in three lines; above, star. RIC 31. Extremely rare, one of six known examples. Somewhat smoothed and with minor weakness, otherwise, very fine.


Only six examples of this issue are known for Crispus, of which four are in private hands. In comparison, there are 44 examples known for Constantine, 23 for Constantine Caesar, and 15 for Constantius Caesar. The low number of examples for Crispus is interpreted here as indicating withdrawal of these coins immediately after the damnatio memoriae of the executed Caesar. Evidence for such withdrawal of coins struck for Crispus was presented by Ramskold (Aborted production [2020b]) for several other emissions. This strongly suggests that the Cyzicus emission was struck as the first dynastic emission when Constantine set out on his vicennial journey. Pieces for Crispus would have been withdrawn five months later. Had the emission been struck in connection with the initial vicennial celebrations almost a year earlier, withdrawal would have been much more inefficient due to the gradual dispersal of the specimens.