Licinius 308 - 324 A.D.
| Coin Description |
Licinius I, the coin is oval in shape AE
18mm (length) 22mm (width), Grade ??, The coin is struck slightly off-centre
on a oval flan but all detail is fully visible with a very nice sandy
patina, It was bought trough the FORVM
auctions , |
| Obverse | The portrait is of Licinius a laureate and cuirassed bust facing right. The legend reads IMP LICINIVS PF AVG meaning: IMP (Imperator = the Emperor / supreme military commander) LICINIVS (his name) PF (Pius Felix / Dutiful and Wise) AVG (Augustus which defines him as being the emperor). |
| Reverse | The reverse shows Sol with a radiate crown on his head and a chlamys over his left shoulder holding a globe in his left hand and raising his right hand. The legend reads SOLI INVICTO COMITI meaning: In honor of / dedicated to my (the emperor's) companion the unconquered / invincible Sun. |
| Mint | The exergue reads R P meaning: R (Rome) P (Prima) : the first officina of the Rome mint. There is also an R over X in the left field and an F in the right field, Victor Failmezger in his book "Roman Bronze Coins, from Paganism to Christianity" speculates that this might stand for Roma Deciens Felix meaning Rome Ten times Happy . |
| The Entire Story | Although Licinius controlled the eastern empire this coin was minted in Rome part of the western empire of Constantine the Great so this coin must have been minted in a period when both emperors were not at each others throat. It honors Licinius I as Augustus and dedicates this coin to the invincible Sol the companion of the emperor (showing the emperor has divine favor). |
