Roman Empire, Crispina, wife of Commodus (177-192 AD), AR Denarius

Bruttia Crispina was the wife of Emperor Commodus and became Roman empress upon their marriage in AD 178. She received the title Augusta, but the marriage produced no surviving children. Crispina was later accused of adultery, exiled to the island of Capri and eventually executed, probably around AD 191–192.

Her coins usually show her draped portrait with the legend CRISPINA AVGVSTA. Reverse designs featuring goddesses such as Concordia, Venus and Juno promoted ideals of marital harmony, fertility and imperial virtue.

HILARITAS: Gaiety or Joy personified

Commodus: Emperor of Rome from 177-192 AD. He was extremely proud of his physical prowess, imagined he was the God Hercules and entered the arena to fight as a gladiator. In 182 AD his sister Lucilla was part of a conspiracy to assasinate him, after which she was exciled. He was finally assassinated in 192 AD. His reign with co-Emperor Marcus Aurelius is considered the end of a golden period of peace in the Roman Empire (Pax Romana).

His coinage reflects both traditional imperial themes and his increasingly personal self-image. Earlier issues often show standard Roman virtues such as Victory, Liberalitas, Providentia and Pax, while later coins increasingly emphasise Commodus’ association with Hercules. Some issues depict Hercules’ attributes, such as the club and lion skin, linking the emperor directly with the heroic demigod. His coins were struck in gold, silver and bronze, including aurei, denarii, sestertii, dupondii and asses, and provide an important visual record of how Commodus wished to present his power and divine identity.