Licinius I BI Reduced Nummus AD 308-324 XF
$125.00
$129.06
Check/Wire
Credit Card
| Quantity | Check/Wire | Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | 125.00 | 129.06 |
- SKU: BFB005520
- Categories: ANCIENTS ROMAN ROMAN EMPIRE
Nummus is a Latin word derived from the Greek noummos which has several meanings, one of which is coin. Nummus can refer to various coins minted during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. A reduced nummus is a nummus made with less material as the original nummus, resulting in a smaller coin.
Licinius was born into an Illyrian peasant family. In 298, he accompanied his friend Galerius on a campaign against Persian forces. When Galerius became emperor, he trusted Licinius with many things, including overseeing the eastern part of the empire while Galerius addressed the usurper Maxentius. In 308, Galerius proclaimed Licinius a fellow emperor, giving him control over several provinces in the Balkans. Unfortunately, Galerius’s death and an alliance between Maxentius and rival emperor Maximinus Daza (Maximinus II) caused Licinius unease. He decided to pursue an alliance with Constantine I (the Great), the other emperor at the time, and married Constantine’s sister, Flavia Julia Constantia. Licinius was able to defeat Daza in 313 when the latter attacked, but engaged in a more challenging civil war with Constantine I in 314. Their conflict ebbed and flowed over ten years, until Licinius was soundly defeated in 324. Flavia Julia Constantia was able to convince her brother to spare her husband’s life initially, but when Licinius’s conspiracy to regain control was revealed, Constantine had him hanged.
This coin was graded XF (Extremely Fine) by the Numismatic Grading Company, the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild. Here is a list of grades used by the NGC, as well as information about Strike, Surface, and Style ratings.
Licinius was born into an Illyrian peasant family. In 298, he accompanied his friend Galerius on a campaign against Persian forces. When Galerius became emperor, he trusted Licinius with many things, including overseeing the eastern part of the empire while Galerius addressed the usurper Maxentius. In 308, Galerius proclaimed Licinius a fellow emperor, giving him control over several provinces in the Balkans. Unfortunately, Galerius’s death and an alliance between Maxentius and rival emperor Maximinus Daza (Maximinus II) caused Licinius unease. He decided to pursue an alliance with Constantine I (the Great), the other emperor at the time, and married Constantine’s sister, Flavia Julia Constantia. Licinius was able to defeat Daza in 313 when the latter attacked, but engaged in a more challenging civil war with Constantine I in 314. Their conflict ebbed and flowed over ten years, until Licinius was soundly defeated in 324. Flavia Julia Constantia was able to convince her brother to spare her husband’s life initially, but when Licinius’s conspiracy to regain control was revealed, Constantine had him hanged.
This coin was graded XF (Extremely Fine) by the Numismatic Grading Company, the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild. Here is a list of grades used by the NGC, as well as information about Strike, Surface, and Style ratings.
Obverse: IMP LICINIVS AVG (E), laureate bust left, wearing consular robes, holding mappa in right hand, globe and scepter in left
Reverse: IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG, Jupiter standing left holding Victory on globe and scepter, palm branch at feet to left, mint mark SMN in exergue and officina mark Z (7) in field
Reference: RCV 15236, RIC VII 24
