© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Nummus - Crispus PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Aquileia
317 year| Bronze | 3.62 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Constantine I (Flavius Valerius Constantinus) (306-337) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 317 |
| Value | Nummus (1⁄7200) |
| Currency | Solidus, Reform of Constantine (AD 310/324 – 395) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 3.62 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#288227 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 92% |
Reverse
Crispus standing left, helmeted, in military attire with cloak across left shoulder, holding reversed spear with left hand and resting right hand on shield set on ground.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS
AQT
Translation: The foremost ranks of the youth
Comment
Due to the known volume of this specific type, the reverse lettering, mentioning PRINCIPIA rather than the usual PRINCEPS or PRINCIPI, does not seem attributable to an error and seems very voluntary.The meaning would therefore refer more to the attribution or the request of military honors (i.e. of command post) for the young Crispus.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Nummus - Crispus (PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Aquileia) coin is that it features the image of a Roman Emperor, likely Crispus, on one side, and the inscription "PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS" (meaning "youthful beginnings" or "principles of youth") on the other. This suggests that the coin may have been minted to commemorate the beginning of a new reign or the appointment of a new emperor, and the image of the emperor serves as a symbol of the Roman Empire's power and authority.
