Emperor Crispus; denomination AE3; bronze; reign as Caesar; struck

Emperor Crispus; denomination AE3; bronze; reign as Caesar; struck 317-326; weight 3.20 g; diameter 18 mm. Obverse: legend IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES; laureate, cuirassed bust left, holding spear over right shoulder and shield on left arm. Reverse: legend VIRTVS EXERCIT; in center a military standard with VOT X on banner; two seated captives flanking the base; S-F across fields; mintmark BSIS in exergue. Strike: Siscia mint, 6 h die axis, well-centered with full legends. Toning: medium brown patina with darker high-point accents. References: RIC VII Siscia 113; standard type for issue. Crispus, eldest son of Constantine I, was elevated to the rank of Caesar in 317 and held that position until his death in 326. The Siscia mint issued this AE3 series during the civil wars against Licinius and the subsequent consolidation of Constantine’s rule. The reverse type, featuring the standard inscribed VOT X and the legend VIRTVS EXERCIT, records a vow for ten more years of successful rule and commends the bravery of the imperial army. The S-F field marks identify the first officina at Siscia. Coins of this series circulated widely in the Balkan and Danubian provinces, reflecting Crispus’s military command in those regions.