Constantine I, with Crispus and Constantine II Caesars, 307/310-337. Miliarense (Billon, 21 mm, 5.16 g, 12 h), Sirmium, 320. CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG Bare head of Constantine I to right. Rev. CRISPVS ET CONSTANTINVS CC / SIRM Bare head of Crispus, on the left, facing bare head of Constantine II, on the right. Gnecchi p. 59, 1 and pl. 29, 8. RIC 14. RSC 3. Rare. A beautiful example of this important dynastic issue with three wonderful portraits. Somewhat rough and with minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
This beautiful dynastic miliarense of Constantine the Great and his two eldest sons, struck at Sirmium, is a testament to the emperor's dynastic policy. By featuring his sons on the reverse, Constantine signals that, upon his death, the dynasty would continue first under his eldest son and military commander, Crispus, and, if necessary, under Constantine II. The positioning of the busts indicates the order of succession: Crispus occupies the more prominent left side of the coin, with his larger portrait underscoring his primacy as Constantine's immediate successor. In contrast, Constantine II's smaller portrait on the right reflects his secondary position and younger age. This dynastic issue emphasizes the strength of Constantine’s imperial succession in comparison to his rival, Licinius I. While Licinius had only one son, Licinius II, who was still a young child (around five years old when the coin was struck in 320), Constantine’s firstborn Crispus was considerably older and already approaching maturity. The presence of his two younger half-brothers, Constantine II and Constantius II (who does not appear on this coin), further reinforced Constantine’s dynastic continuity, making it much more secure than Licinius’, whose single, much younger son offered less immediate promise of succession. However, the dynastic promise conveyed by this coin would be tragically short-lived: in 326, Crispus was executed by his father, allegedly due to a scandal involving his stepmother, Fausta. Following Crispus’ execution, his memory was condemned, and his image was defaced. By this point, however, Constantine had already secured the future of his dynasty. With three surviving sons - Constantine II (* 316), Constantius II (* 317), and Constans (* between 320 and 323) - the imperial succession remained strong, even in the wake of Crispus’ death, ensuring that Constantine’s dynasty would continue