Here's a coin I won in the recent FSR auction which was received in the mail today. I rather liked the portrait and the crested helmet of the ultimately unfortunate Licinius who was executed after a civil war against Constantine in which he was unsuccessful. Rome mint, whose issues of Licinius with the reverse Roma Aeterna were limited to this one type, distinguished solely by the mintmark. Please feel free to post any coins of Licinius that you wish. Licinius I Rome AE3, 318-319 AD. 19mm 3.1 grams IMP LI-CINIVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust right ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma seated right, shield on lap inscribed X/V. P-R across fields. Mintmark: RQ Reference: RIC VII Rome 151; Cohen 150; Sear 15354.
This type intrigued me enough that I was willing to fork out for an ex Dattari example. I like yours very much!
Very nice coin.. I did see that one at the auction and was tempted. I do not have a Licinius with that lovely reverse.. glad to see it posted here! Here are a few of my favorites... Licinius was man of many faces..
The OP coin is a vota type. Here is a site with more than you want to know about vota coins: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/VOTA/ Vows for year 15, like on the OP coin, are on this page: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/VOTA/XV.html The type is for year 15 of Constantine and was also minted for Licinius [the OP coin], Licinius II [the second coin], Crispus, and Constantine II. Constantine (306-307-337). AE3. 19-18 mm. ROMAE AETERNAE around Roma seated right on shield, holding shield inscribed X/V R Q in exergue, P R in fields (POPVLI ROMANI?) RIC VII Rome 146 page 314 "318-19" Year 15. The fifteenth year of Constantine's reign was 320 or 321 (Depending upon when he took his original vows, in 306 as Caesar or 307 as Augustus). Late Roman coins are dated by RIC as if the years were for vows suscepta taken for a five-year period and the terminal year is on the coin, not the year the vow was taken. Thus this coin is dated to 318-319, recording the vows as taken in advance of the occasion for their fulfillment.
Thanks all for the comments and the sharing of your neat coins. Also, thanks @Valentinian for the website reference and background information.
As Valentinian pointed out, this type was issued by Licinius and son as well as Constantine and two sons. All had it with the R+officina mintmark and the unusual R eros ligature officina mark. I do not have either of the Licinii with it so here is the Crispus both ways.
...he should be on the cover of GQ...i have a couple of him, but not a vota and that's a kool coin ach...here's ein...(not as GQish as RC's)
Very interesting thread with some great coins.... My Licinius set comprises mostly of campgates but have recently branched out a bit and will certainly be on the lookout for a Roma reverse! Here's one of my first non-campgates of the Papa with a pretty patina.... Licinius I AE Follis. 20mm dia/ 3.2gr Obverse- IMP LIC LICINIVS PF AVG, laureate head right Reverse- IOVI CON-SERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding victory and sceptre, eagle at foot with wreath in its beak,gamma to right. Mintmark SIS. RIC VII 8G (Siscia oficina3)