Hi, I have a project for my Latin class with a Licinius I coin, and i was wondering if anyone could explain to me what a couple of things mean on the coin. A. obverse side: IMP LINIVS AVG. What exactly does AVG stand for? Is this the abreviation for Aug. the month the coin was made in? B. reverse side: IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. Again i'm unsure what the AVGG exactly is meant to stand for. C. reverse side: what does the SMK in ex mean? Is this the person who made the coin? D. reverse side: The B on the right side of Jupitor, what does that stand for? Is this the edition? i've noticed that there are many different kinds of Licinius I roman coins out there, so are each one mark by a different letter to show the edition of the maker and style of the specific coin? any help would be much appreciated. thanks so much.
I may make a fool of myself but here goes nothing: A. AVG = AUG for Augustus or Ceasar B. AVGG - I think the second G indicates there were two governing bodies in place at the time - the Emporer and the Senate I have no clue about the reverse questions.
Ave, socius discipulus Latinae! IMP[ERATOR] LICINIVS AVG[VSTS] AVGG[VSTS] (the 2nd G indicates a co-Emperor, Constantine in this case) SMK is an abbreviation for Sacra Moneta Kyzicus, Kyzicus (or Cyzicus) being the location the mint where this coin was struck. And you're right, the B is an officina marker, used to indicate the particular issue. The one you speak of sounds like it should be RIC VII Cyzicus 9, dating from 317-320 AD.
