Licinius 308 - 324 A.D.
| Coin Description |
Licinius, AE 18mm, a silvered reduced follis with some of the silvering still present on the coin. VM 26, RBC 278e ,RIC VII Nicomedia 24, |
| Obverse | The portrait is of Licinius a laureate and draped bust facing left, holding mappa, globe (symbolizing the world/empire he rules) and scepter. The legend reads IMP LICINIVS AVG meaning: IMP ( Imperator means victorious general only the emperor could be given this title. It indicates Licinius being the emperor and supreme commander of the Roman Army. The word "emperor" comes from imperator) LICINIVS (his name) AVG (Augustus which defines him as being the emperor). The legend is broken which is a sign of the highest respect and signifies him as the senior Augustus. |
| Reverse | The reverse shows Jupiter standing left, holding a scepter and Victory on a globe (called a Victoriola which is a carved cult statue of victory which is holding out a wreath) there's also a palm-branch (another symbol of victory) at Jupiter's feet. Jupiter presents the victoriola, which symbolizes the gift of victory in battle from the gods and the renown that came with the victory, to the emperor. The legend reads IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG which translates as: Jupiter protects our emperors (The second G in AVGG means that there is another legitimate ruler with the title of Augustus, in this case Constantine the Great). |
| Mint | The exergue reads SMN meaning SM (Sacred Moneta / Sacred Money) N (for Nicomedia) There's also an S in the right field which is a mintsequence mark. |
| The Entire Story | The entire story of this coin would read: Supreme commander of the army Licinius our Augustus who is protected by Jupiter together with his co-ruler Constantine the Great and who is granted victory over his enemies by the gods. |
