RIC VII, NICOMEDIA [after 91], CRISPUS, UNLISTED OBVERSE LEGEND

OBVERSE	FLIVLCRIS-PVSNOBCAE [FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAE (sic!)]; bust l., laur., dr., cuir.
REVERSE	PROVIDEN-TIAECAESS [PROVIDENTIAE CAESS]; camp gate, two turrets, no doors, star above, varying number of stone layers. SMNB in exergue.
NOT IN RIC	UNLISTED OBVERSE LEGEND. RIC lists for Crispus two obv. legends: unbroken FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES [NICOMEDIA 91] and broken FL IVL CRIS-PVS NOB C [NICOMEDIA 92]. Here we have the first variant but with break S-P and ...CAE instead of ...CAES. Obv. legend ended with ...CAE is very unusual but it is unlikely an engraver's error, because known specimens are from different dies. Coin should be listed after NICOMEDIA 91.

NOTES

Weight 2.61 g; diameter 19 mm. Sold on eBay in November 2015 for GBP 74. Ex Lars Ramskold. Sold on Leu Numismatik web auction 28 (lot 4848) in December 2023 for CHF 140. Other specimens: - sold on VAuctions auction 252 (lot 123) in September 2010 for USD 50; ex Beast Coins; weight 2.67 g; diameter 18 mm; different obv. die [click for picture]. - sold on VAuctions auction 252 (lot 122) in September 2010 for USD 45; ex Beast Coins; weight 3.16 g; diameter 18-19 mm; different obv. die [click for picture]; - sold on FORVM ANCIENT COINS; weight 2.893 g; diameter 18.7 mm; the same obv. die [click for picture].