From a bulk lot. It has an interesting denomination. Post anything you feel is relevant. Sear (RCV iv, p. 377) writes that some have suggested that the curious numerical formula on the reverse field (shown here in the listing in RIC vii, p. 607) ... ... indicates a revaluation of the follis from 25 to 12-1/2 denarii (c.f. Carson, Coins of the Roman Empire, p. 167). Moreover, the adoption of the radiate crown (seen better in hand than in this photo) may be connected with Licinius's devotion to the sun-god Sol Invictus at a time when the survival of paganism was being threatened by Licinius's western colleague, Constantine I. Licinius I, AD 308-324 Roman billon follis, 3.32 g, 20.2 mm, 5:00 Nicomedia, AD 318-324 Obv: IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe and eagle-tipped scepter, another eagle to feet to left, captive seated on ground to right; X/IIΓ in field, right Refs: RIC 44; Cohen 74; RCV 15223.
Licinius' revaluation only shows up on coins from mints under his control but was not accepted at mints under Constantine. There are coins of each ruler minted by the opposite mint so it is possible to get 12 1/2 coins in Constantine. When Licinius was eliminated, so were the reform coins.
Looking at all my Licinius I coins, I have none with this kind of marking. But here is my favorite anyway: 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
Cool and interesting denomination @Roman Collector ! I only have one from Licinius I RI Licinius I 308-324 CE AE3 Jupiter w Eagle
Keep an eye out for the overlooked Martinian issued for this X/IIΓ series when sifting through your bulk lot... I know I always do. One can hope, right? I have a Licinius and a Jr.
Here's a couple of Constantine from mints controlled by Licinius. Notice, also, the presence of the captive on the reverse. I don't know of any other coins with Jupiter reverses from this time period with a captive besides these 1/2 nummi (or 1/2 folli). Antioch mint, A.D. 321-323 RIC 34 Obv: IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Rev: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI - Jupiter, leaning on eagle-tipped scepter, holding Victory on globe; eagle with wreath at feet to right, captive to left SMANTB in exergue; X over IIM (truncated) in right field 19 mm, 3.1 g. Nicomedia mint, A.D. 321-324 RIC 43 Obv: IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Rev: IOVI CONS-ERVATORI - Jupiter, leaning on eagle-tipped scepter, holding Victory on globe; eagle with wreath at feet to right, captive to left SMNB in exergue; X over IIM (truncated) in right field 19 mm, 2.7 g. And then there's these two head scratchers from mints under Constantine's control: 1) Rome mint, A.D. 312-313 RIC 360 Obv: FL VAL CONSTANTINVS AVG Rev: VIRT EXE-RCIT GALL - Virtus, standing, looking right, holding parazonium and leaning on reversed spear RT in exergue; X in left field, VI in right 20 x 18 mm, 2.6 g. Victor Clark has an interesting write-up about the above coin here: http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/fractions/ 2) Ticinum mint, A.D. 320 RIC 131 Obv: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG Rev: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG - Wreath enclosing VOT/XX TT in exergue; [star] in center 19 mm, 2.5 g.
I have a radiate Licinius I too. Actually, I thought it was a rare type but had never bothered to fully attribute it. If I had, I would have seen it was pretty common. I'd post the picture but I am on vacation at the beach right now.
