© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)
© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)
Nummus - Crispus PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS; Arelate
318 year| Bronze | 2.69 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Constantine I (Flavius Valerius Constantinus) (306-337) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 318 |
| Value | Nummus (1⁄7200) |
| Currency | Solidus, Reform of Constantine (AD 310/324 – 395) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 2.69 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#432430 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Mars, helmeted, nude, chlamys draped across left shoulder, standing left, leaning on shield with right hand and holding reversed vertical spear in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS
P
*
QA
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; Arelate) (318) coin is that it features the image of a Roman emperor, likely Crispus, on the obverse (front side), while the reverse (back side) bears the inscription "PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS" which means "youthful beginnings" or "principles of youth" in Latin. This suggests that the coin may have been minted to commemorate the beginning of a new reign or the ascension of a young emperor. Additionally, the fact that it's made of bronze and weighs 2.69g suggests that it was a widely circulating coin used in everyday transactions.
