Licinius

Coinage of Licinius is divided into two groups, separated by his defeat of Maximinus II in 313 and subsequent takeover of the eastern empire. Click here to see coins of his son, Licinius II.

Coinage, 308–313
Coinage, 313–324
Biography...

104-825

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Galerius

Heraclea, 308-309

obv.- IMP C VAL LIC LICINIVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO IMPERATORIS;

RIC VI Her 37b; Fail 197

27mm; 6.7g; follis

104-802

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 308-310

obv.- IMP C GAL LIC LININIVS PF AVG; laur bust r

rev.- GENIO IMPERATORIS; K-Δ-P in fields, ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 105b; Fail 197e

24mm; 6.5g; follis

104-523

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Galerius

Thessalonica, 308-310

obv.- VAL LICINIVS PF AVG; Laureate head right, divergent laurel ties

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Mars advancing right, nude but for chlamys over left shoulder, helmeted and wearing boots, spear pointing forward in right hand, trophy over left shoulder in left hand * | B across fields . SM . TS . in exergue

RIC VI Thes 37b; Fail 212

27mm; 6.8g; follis

104-556

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Cyzicus, 309-310

obv.- VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG;

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; MKV in ex; B | * in fields

RIC VI Cyz 54; Fail 190h

23mm; 6.0g; follis

104-824

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Cyzicus, 309-310

obv.- VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- GENIO IMPERATORIS; Genius; B|* in fields, MKV in ex

RIC VI Cyz 57; Fail 197

27mm; 6.4g; follis

204-194

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Thesalonica, 308–311

obv.- VAL LICINIVS P F AVG; Laureate bust of Licinius facing right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; * in left field; Γ in right field; •SM•TS• in ex

RIC VI Thes 30b

25mm; 6.4g; follis

104-760

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Cyzicus, 309-310

obv.- VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Mars standing right, holding spear, shield, standard

RIC VI Cyz 60; Fail 212

26mm; 7.5g; follis

rated S in RIC

204-080

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Cyzicus, 309-310

obv.- VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; Mars standing right, holding spear, shield, standard; B * in fields, MKV in ex

RIC VI Cyz 60; Fail 212

25mm; 6.4g; follis

rated S in RIC

104-835

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Londinium, 310-312

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; laur cuir bust r

rev.- GENIO POP ROM; * in left field; PLN in ex

RIC VI Lon 209c

24mm; 4.7g; follis

104-766

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Nicomedia, 311

obv.- IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG; laur bust right

rev.- HERCVLI VICTORI; Hercules standing right, resting hand on hip and holding club with lion skin; Δ in field; SMN in ex

RIC VI Nic 68 [var]; Fail 201

21mm; 2.9g; follis

The HERCVLI VICTORI reverse type was only struck occasionally from 311-313 in the mints under control of Maximinus II: Nicomedia, Cyzicus, Antioch, and Alexandria, and, briefly, Heraclea after Maximinus took control of the city from Licinius and struck his own coin types before his defeat. This type is not recorded anywhere for Licinius (except for a single, very rare issue from Alexandria); if it were cataloged, it would be RIC 68a.

204-004

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 311-312

obv.- IMP C VAL LIC LICINIVS PF AVG; Laur bust right

rev.- BONO GENIO PII IMPERATORIS; Genius stg facing, head left, pouring liquor from patera, cornucopia in left; crescent-K in left field, B X in right field; ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 144a (var)

24mm; 7.6g; follis

Another unlisted variety of this type. This one is unlisted for this obverse legend; 144a is listed as S

204-069

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Licinius I

Cyzicus, 312-313

obv.- IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, modius on head, holding patera and cornucopea, fire altar at his feet, A in fields, SMK in exergue

RIC VI Cyz 100 [var]

20mm; 4.9g; follis

Not recorded for this obverse legend

204-019

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Antioch, 312

obv.- IMP C LIC LICINNIVS PF AVG; Laur bust right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, holding head of Sol and cornucopiae; * in left field, I in right field; ANT in ex

RIC VI Ant 164a

20mm; 4.2g; follis

104-893

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Licinius I

Heraclea, 312

obv.- IMP C VAL LIC LICINIVS PF AVG; laur bust right

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter stg facing, holding globe, leaning on sceptre; wreath in field; SMHT-Δ

RIC VI Her 69 [var]

23mm; 3.7g; follis

This is yet another uncatalogued variety struck during the war between Licinius and Maximinus II.

Coins with mintmark HTA through HT-Δ were issued with wreath in field in 312, anticipating Licinius' 5-year anniversary. Later in 312, SM was added to HT in ex, wth the officina mark in the field, indicating that Licinius and his treasury had taken up residence at Heraclea, in anticipation of the coming battle with Maximinus II. This coin has a transitional mintmark, the same exergual markings of group (ii) but with the SM added — struck presumably towards the end of officina Δ when Licinius arrived, before the the mint marks were reorganized for the next issue.

[The obverse of this coin was unfortunately damaged when someone tried to clean the coin with electrolysis and ate into the patina badly. Would be a really nice coin otherwise...]

204-060

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Licinius I

Thessalonica, 312

obv.- IMP C VAL LIC LICINIVS P F AVG; Laureate head right

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter standing facing, head left, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, globe in right hand, scepter in left Wreath | Γ across fields; •SM•TS• in ex

RIC VI Thes 49; Fail 202a

24mm; 5.9g; follis

104-770

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Ostia, 312-313

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG;

rev.- GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing l, holding patera and cornucopiae; MOSTB in ex

RIC VI Ost 75

21mm; 3.8g; follis

204-247

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Ostia, 312/313

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; Laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI; Legionary eagle flanked by two standards, hand on left, wreath on right; flags draped from left and center standards; mintmark worn off, but ought to be MOSTQ

RIC VI Ost 95b; Fail 241

22mm; 4.3g; nummus

This is either the last issue from Ostia, or the first issue from Arelate after the Ostia mint was closed and transferred there. Can make an argument for Arelate based on style, but obverse legend points to Ostia.

104-672

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Alexandria, 313

obv.- IMP C LIC LICINIVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, holding head of Serapis and cornucopia; palm branch-N-* in left field, wreath-Γ in right field; ALE in ex

RIC VI Ale 162a; Fail 190q

22mm; 5.0g; follis

from a small collection reputed to have been pieced out from Giovanni's Dattari's original collection of Alexandrian coinage. ex. Milivoj Paut

204-165

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Maximinus II

Nicomedia, 313

obv.- IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG; Laureate bust of Licinius facing right

rev.- GENIO AVGVSTI; Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae; altar with flames before; * in left field; Δ in right field; SMN in ex

RIC VI Nic [80]

21mm; 4.1g; follis

"Genius" reverse type is completely missing from RIC for this series, for all emperors. This would have been among the very last coins struck by Maximinus II.

104-421

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Licinius I

Heraclea, 313

obv.- IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG; laureate bust right

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG; Jupiter standing left, holding Victory and scepter, eagle at feet, SMHT in exergue

RIC VI Her 73; Fail 202g

23mm; 4.1g; follis

104-724

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Licinius I

Nicomedia, 313-317

obv.- IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG; Laureate bust of Licinius facing right

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter standing left, chlamys hanging behind, right hand holding a Victory on globe and left leaning on sceptre, an eagle with a wreath at lower left, epsilon in right field, SMN in exergue

RIC VII Nic 13

21mm; 3.6g; follis

104-966

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Rome, 314

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; laureate draped cuirassed bust right

rev.- SOLI INVICTO COMITI; Sol standing left, head radiate, chlamys over left shoulder, raising right hand, globe in left, R*T in exergue, R|F in fields

RIC VII Rom 22

21mm; 3.0g; follis

104-558

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Londinium, 315

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; Laur Cuir Right

rev.- GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing Left holding Patera + Cornucopia; MSL in ex, S|F in fields

RIC VII Lon 31; Fail 253

20mm; 3.5g; follis

Not the most artistic portrait of Licinius in the world. Artistry standards at the London mint were not always of the highest caliber in the years before it was shut down. Rated R4 in RIC, scarce in Failmezger

204-224

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Aquileia, 317

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; laureate buirassed bust right

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter standing left, chlamys over shoulder, holding thunderbolt, leaning on sceptre

RIC VII Aq 7

20mm; 3.4g; nummus

104-587

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Treveri, 316

obv.- IMP LICINIVS PF AVG; Laureate draped cuirassed bust of Licinius to right

rev.- GENIO POP ROM; Genius holding cornucopiae and patera; T | F in fields; STR in ex

RIC VII Tr 120; Fail 253

20mm; 3.24g; follis

204-136

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Trier, 318

obv.- IMP LICINIVS AVG; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding mappa and sceptre

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG; Eagle standing right, bearing Licinius who is carrying a thunderbolt and sceptre; STR in ex

RIC VII Tr 212

17mm; 2.5g; follis

Rare; rated R3 in RIC.

104-762

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Arelate, 319

obv.- IMP LICINIVS AVG; laur cuir bust right

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG; Jupiter, holding thunderbolt & scepter, carried by eagle standing right, its left wing pointing downward. TARL in ex

RIC VII Arl 192; Fail 278a

18mm; 2.7g; AE3

Rated S in RIC

204-231

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Thessalonica, 318-319

obv.- IMP LICI NIVS AVG; Laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- VOT XX MVLT XXX; legend within laurel wreath; •TS•A• in ex

RIC VII Thes 33

19mm; 2.0g; nummus

104-518

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Thessalonica, 319

obv.- IMP LICINIVS AVG; laureate cuirassed bust right

rev.- VICTORIA AVGG NN; Victory advancing left holding wreath, .TS.D in ex

RIC VII Thess 61; Fail 287

19mm; 3.0g; AE3

RIC rated R2

204-196

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Thessalonica, 319

obv.- IMP LICINIVS AVG; Laureate and cuirassed bust right

rev.- VIRT EXERC; Sol, raising right hand and holding globe in left, standing slightly left in center of plan of Roman camp; •TS•A• in ex

RIC VII Thes 68

19mm; 2.4g; follis

Rare; rated R3 in RIC. Most of these were struck in the name of Constantine, examples struck in the names of Licinius or the caesars are decidedly more scarce.

104-551

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Constantine I

Siscia, 320

obv.- IMP LICINIVS AVG; Laureate head right, divergent laurel ties

rev.- VIRTVS EXERCIT; standard inscribed VOT XX with captives seated on ground to either side, S to left, F & HL monogram right, BSIS(*-in-crescent) in ex

RIC VII Sis 129; Fail 291

27mm; 6.8g; follis

rated R in RIC

104-576

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Licinius I augustus

—struck by Licinius I

Heraclea, 321-324

obv.- IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG; Radiate bust right, cuirassed

rev.- IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter stg. l., chlamys across l. shoulder, leaning on sceptre with eagle, Victory on globe in r. hand; eagle holding wreath to l.; to r., captive on ground; in field, X and IIG; SMHG in ex

RIC VII Her 52; Fail 320

21mm; 2.9g; AE3

[biographical note goes here...]

Licinius (Valerius Licinianus Licinius)

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