I found this in a large lot from feebay. I have seen similar coins but not one to match completely. I added a wheat cent for size comparison. Thanks for expert help.
Match the letters on the bottom on this page and youll have your info. http://wildwinds.com/coins/ric/licinius_I/t.html
It's not fake. Campgate type, Heraclea mint, second officina. A common Roman, but very nice. A soak in distilled water would loosen some of the dirt on the reverse and make it sharper.
Thank you so much guys. I thought for sure it looked too good to be the real deal. Any value range? I am starting a coin portfolio for my son. I looked on feebay for some market value but it's not consistent.
There is no consistency with ancient coin values like moderns. You could have one person pay $40 and another will pay $120, it all depends on how bad someone wants it. This emperor and type is common. It does have full legends. If $ is important, i'd estimate it at $20-$25.
Value range, maybe $20 on eBay. Personally I wouldn't pay more than $10, not that it isn't a good coin, but very common, and I've already got a handful of them. It's a common misconception that ancient coins need to look bad to be authentic. Roman minting technology was very sophisticated, just in a different way from modern technology. Here's a pretty good looking follis of Constantine the Great...
Here is a very nice Campgate type of Constantius II. These coins were frequently given a silver wash. This one still has traces of the wash, giving it an attractive blueish sheen...
Mat is right about the value. Very common coin type. Here is one from my collection to match the OP coin; however, this one still has the silver wash. I paid $20 shipped. LICINIUS I AE3 Follis OBVERSE: IMP LICI-NIVS AVG, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, holding globe, sceptre & mappa REVERSE: PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG, campgate with three turrets, no door, delta in right field SMHA in ex. Struck at Heraclea 318-320 AD 3.0g, 18mm RIC VII 48
