Licinius II (Caesar)  317 - 324   A.D.

Coin Description Licinius II, AE 19mm, Grade??, a half follis, The coin is well centered it has some damage around the edges and on the obverse but the reverse is absolutely stunning crammed with symbols and a denomination mark. RIC VII 54, Cohen 21 ,RBC 279a, VM 5.
Obverse The portrait is of Licinius II a helmeted, cuirassed bust facing left holding a shield in his left hand and a spear over his right shoulder. The legend reads DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C meaning: DN (Dominus Noster /our lord) VAL LICIN LICINIVS (his name Valerius Licinianus Licinius) NOB C (Nobilitas Caesar / Royal Heir to the throne). A continuous legend is also an indication of Licinius II holding the rank of Caesar.
Reverse

The reverse shows Jupiter standing left, holding an eagle tipped scepter (the eagle has a wreath in his beak) in his left hand, he also has a chlamys hanging over his left arm. In his right hand he holds a Victory on a globe (called a Victoriola which is a carved cult statue of victory which is holding out a wreath). There's an eagle holding a wreath at Jupiter's right foot and a captive at his left foot. 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 young Caesar. The legend reads IOVI CONSERVATORI meaning: "to Jupiter the protector".

In the right field is a denomination mark X IIΓ This unusual denomination stands for 12.5 (XII roman numerals meaning 12 the Γ probably stands for "semis" 1/2). Since 25 denarii were a follis (a modern name given to this denomination because its ancient name is not known, sometimes also called a nummus), this is a half follis. This was part of another round of coin devaluations which effectively reduced (by half) the purchasing power of money in circulation. This marking was only used by Licinius at the eastern mints and only for a short time.

Mint The exergue reads SMHΓ meaning SM (Sacred Moneta / Sacred Money) H for the Heraclea mint and Γ (gamma) for the third officina.
The Entire Story The entire story of this coin would read: Our Lord Valerius Licinianus Licinius the noble heir to the throne who is protected/blessed by the gods and who is granted victory over our enemies by the gods as shown by all the symbols of victory crammed on the coin.