Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[wittwolff]

The tetrarchys biggest traitor:

On of the last coins with the radiate crown:

An less common helmeted bust:

And here his son:

[CPK]

I think this is my only Licinius:

[John Conduitt]

Licinius I Follis, 315-316

Londinium. Bronze, 21mm, 2.98g. Laureate, cuirassed bust right; IMP LICINIVS PF AVG. Genius standing left holding patera and cornucopiae, modius on head, loins draped] SF in field, mintmark MSL in exergue (RIC VI, 31). Ex Bourton-on-the-Water (Gloucestershire) Hoard 1970.

Licinius II Follis, 317-324

Trier. Bronze, 19x20mm, 2.77g. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; LICINIVS-IVN NOB C. Standard inscribed VOT/XX between two captives; VIRTVS EXERCIT; mintmark dot PTR in exergue ([RIC VII, 272). From the Martock (Somerset) Hoard 2012.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

I am starting in reverse order with Licinius II.

It's an AE3 from Cyzicus of Licinius II, who served as Caesar under his father Licinius. Unfortunately for the Licinii, the second war fought with Constantine ended up in their defeat and executions.

Obverse: Draped and cuirassed bust of Licinius right. DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C

Reverse: Jove standing left with cape, holding Victory in his right hand. JOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS

(ex the @dougsmit collection). I think it's interesting that the prefix DN was used, whereas their earlier coinage featured IMP.

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter
typo

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Now the Father...

Licinius I, nice helmeted type... 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. 

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at SM.TS. =Thessalonica during the reign of LICINUS I between 308 -310 A.D. Obv. VAL.LICINVS.P.F.AVG. laur. hd. r. Rev. GENIO.A-VGVSTI Genius stg. l. modius on head, naked but for chlamys over l. shoulder, r. holding patera, l. cornucopia.  RCS #3793. RICVI #30b pg.514.
 

Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at TS = Thessalonica, Greece during the reign of LICINIUS I between 312 - 313 A.D Obv. IMP.LIC.LICINVS. P.F. AVGG. laur., dr. & cuir. bust r. Rev. IOVI.CONSERVATORI. AVGG.NN. Jupiter standing facing, hd. l., chlamys hanging from l. shoulder, r. holding Victory on globe, l. leaning on sceptre; eagle with wreath in beak at feet to l. RCS #3799. RICVI #60 pg.519. DVM #16.

Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at SMALB Alexandria during the reign of LICINIUS I in 321 A.D Obv. IMP.C.VAL.LICIN.LICINVS.P.F.AVG. laur. & cuir. bust r. Rev. IOVI.CONS-ERVATORI. Jupiter standing facing, hd. l., chlamys hanging from l. shoulder, r. holding Victory on globe, l. leaning on sceptre; eagle with wreath in beak at feet to l. to r. captive RCS #3798. RICVII #28 pg.708.

Licinius II Coins

Bronze coin (AE3) minted at Nicomedia during the reign of LICINIUS I, for his Son LICINIUS II, as Caesar, between 317-320 A.D Obv. D.N.VAL.LICIN.LICINVS.NOB. C. laur. and draped bust r. Rev. PROVIDEN-TIAE.CAESS. Jupiter stg. l., a palm at his feet. RCS #3818. RICVII #34 pg.605. DVM #7.

Silvered bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at SMH7=Heraclea during the reign of LICINIUS I, for his Son, LICINIUS II, as Caesar, between 318-320 A.D. Obv. D.N.VAL.LICIN.LICINVS.NOB. C. laur. and dr. bust r., globe & sceptre in r. hand, mappa in l. hand. Rev. PROVIDEN-TIAE.CAESS. Camp gate surmounted with three turrets & no doors, 6 stone layers, lambda in r. field. RICVII #49 pg.547

Edited April 16, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[Severus Alexander]

Switch time isn’t until 3pm Eastern! Tsk, tsk. 😝

[CPK]

3 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

Switch time isn’t until 3pm Eastern! Tsk, tsk. 😝

I didn't even think about it. Now I'm guilty too! 😮🤣

 

[Jims,Coins]

17 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

Switch time isn’t until 3pm Eastern! Tsk, tsk. 😝

It was 12 hours since Maxentius was posted. should be a time limit on the day of the new emperor. 

• 
• Supporter
• •  908

Posted 12 hours ago

Not a ruler I have pursued with any vigour, for some reason. I should get one of the Dioscuri types!

Edited April 16, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[Severus Alexander]

6 minutes ago, CPK said:

I didn't even think about it. Now I'm guilty too! 😮🤣

 

I - Severus Alexander, that is - always was a goody two shoes. Right, @Prieure de Sion? 😇

What happens is a less regular poster to the thread (in this case my good buddy @Curtisimo) goes by the date only, and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon without checking.

Or maybe y’ll are just baiting me for entertainment… 🤨😁

[Severus Alexander]

6 minutes ago, Jims,Coins said:

It was 12 hours since Maxentius was posted. should be a time limit on the day of the new emperor

Nope, those ain’t the rules here! 😝

(Note that would completely invalidate the whole schedule…)

Edited April 16, 2023 by Severus Alexander

[Curtisimo]

4 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

I - Severus Alexander, that is - always was a goody two shoes. Right, @Prieure de Sion? 😇

What happens is a less regular poster to the thread (in this case my good buddy @Curtisimo) goes by the date only, and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon without checking.

Or maybe y’ll are just baiting me for entertainment… 🤨😁

I see now where it says that in the OP. I wish it was just me baiting people for fun… that sounds cooler than being an accidental rule breaker. 😇

IMHO the posting rules are a bit unintuitive. The date schedule all its own is a wonderful idea and super straightforward. Perhaps the gap between the start of the date (depending on where you are) and the 3PM announcement should be a grace period where overlapping is allowed?

Either way I am aware it is neither my rules nor my thread so I will simple apologize to the board for getting things out of sync…

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at SMN = Nicomedia during the reign of LICINIUS I between 311 - 313 A.D Obv. IMP.C.VAL.LICIN.LICINVS.P.F.AVG. Rev. IOVI.CONS-ERVATORI. Jupiter standing facing, hd. l., chlamys hanging from l. shoulder, r. holding Victory on globe, l. leaning on sceptre; eagle with wreath in beak at feet to l. RCS #3799. RICVI #69a pg.566.

[CPK]

@Curtisimo Having a set time to make the switch is going to be a bit arbitrary and with members participating from all over the world, it may make things a bit unintuitive or inconvenient...a bit of accidental overlapping is understandable and not a big deal! The goal is to have fun and overall, I think we've been doing pretty well at following the thread structure. 😉 

Edited April 16, 2023 by CPK

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

I also am a guilty party about jumping the gun. Let me express my regrets and apologies in this matter. 🙄

[Severus Alexander]

6 minutes ago, Curtisimo said:

IMHO the posting rules are a bit unintuitive.

Agreed. But also pretty much guaranteed given that we cross the international date line in our time zones. Plus overlap would likely cause confusion on its own. (That said, there isn’t a rule against “catching up” by posting portraits that have already been covered! E.g. @Dafydd’s Nervas above.) (Probably a good idea to flag these as catch-ups though, if you plan to do this.)

So our noble thread Caesar @CPK picked a time that worked for him, and that didn’t cause our European posters to cross the date line.

[Curtisimo]

23 minutes ago, CPK said:

@Curtisimo Having a set time to make the switch is going to be a bit arbitrary and with members participating from all over the world, it may make things a bit unintuitive or inconvenient...a bit of accidental overlapping is understandable and not a big deal! The goal is to have fun and overall, I think we've been doing pretty well at following the thread structure. 😉 

20 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

Agreed. But also pretty much guaranteed given that we cross the international date line in our time zones. Plus overlap would likely cause confusion on its own. (That said, there isn’t a rule against “catching up” by posting portraits that have already been covered! E.g. @Dafydd’s Nervas above.) (Probably a good idea to flag these as catch-ups though, if you plan to do this.)

So our noble thread Caesar @CPK picked a time that worked for him, and that didn’t cause our European posters to cross the date line.

The thread has been a great success. The feedback I gave wasn’t necessarily expected to be actionable. Just my thoughts. I am aware that we are closing in on the later stages of a project that has been well managed and is running just fine.

This is a fun thread @CPK. Thanks for starting it and thanks for your excellent continued management of it.

I will just say, in my defense, who really cares about Maxentius when my $10 Licinius is obviously stealing the show and will probably win the thread?… 

[Severus Alexander]

9 minutes ago, Curtisimo said:

I will just say, in my defense, who really cares about Maxentius when my $10 Licinius is obviously stealing the show and will probably win the thread?…

Jokes aside, that coin actually has a really nice portrait. (But I gotta wait another 25 minutes before I “like” it. Or more likely “cookie” it. Maybe I should offer an award for the poster who gets the most cookies from me…)

[mc9]

Licinius I: i can't choose a favorite portrait

IMP LICI - NIVS AVG

PROVIDEN - TIAE AVGG / HTΓ

Follis, Heraclea, A.D.316 – 317, Ric VII 15

IMP LICINIVS PF AVG

SOLI INV - I - CTO COMITI R/T//R*S

Follis,  Rome, A.D.314, Ric VII 22

VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG

GENIO IMP - ERATORIS / B / * / MKV

Follis, Cyzicus, A.D.309 – 310, Ric VII 57

IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIANUS PF AVG

IOVI CONSER – VATORI AVGG / A // SMHT

Folles, Heraclea, A.D.313 – 314, Ric  VII 6

IMP LICI - NIVS AVG

IOVI CONS - ERVATORI AVGG  /palm/ Γ / SMN

Folles, Nicomedia, A.D.317 – 320, Ric VII 24

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

1 minute ago, mc9 said:

Licinius I: i can't choose a favorite portrait

IMP LICI - NIVS AVG

PROVIDEN - TIAE AVGG / HTΓ

Follis, Heraclea, A.D.316 – 317, Ric VII 15

IMP LICINIVS PF AVG

SOLI INV - I - CTO COMITI R/T//R*S

Follis,  Rome, A.D.314, Ric VII 22

VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG

GENIO IMP - ERATORIS / B / * / MKV

Follis, Cyzicus, A.D.309 – 310, Ric VII 57

IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIANUS PF AVG

IOVI CONSER – VATORI AVGG / A // SMHT

Folles, Heraclea, A.D.313 – 314, Ric  VII 6

IMP LICI - NIVS AVG

IOVI CONS - ERVATORI AVGG  /palm/ Γ / SMN

Folles, Nicomedia, A.D.317 – 320, Ric VII 24

 

I like numbers 1 and 3...nice coins.

[mc9]

Licinius II : I love  all of the portraits :

D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C

IOVI CONSERVATORI /X/IIΓ/ SMHA

Folles, Heraclea, A.D.321 – 324, RIC VII 54

DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C

PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS  /Λ //SMHΓ

Folles, Heraclea, A.D.318 – 320, RIC VII 49

DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C

PROVIDEN-TIAE CAESS  / ✱ Λ •  //SMHΓ

Folles, Heraclea, A.D.318 – 320, RIC VII ( NIR )

[DonnaML]

One of each:

Licinius I, silvered AE Follis, Siscia Mint (4th Officina) 315-316 AD. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP LIC LICINIVS P F AVG / Rev. Naked Jupiter standing and facing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding Victory on globe in right hand and leaning on scepter held in left hand; eagle with wreath in beak at his feet left, IOVI CON-SERVATORI. Δ [Delta] in right field, • SIS • in exergue. RIC VII Siscia 17 (p. 424), Sear RCV IV 15212, Cohen 66. 21 mm., 3.36 g.

Licinius II actually looks like a child on this coin:

Licinius II Caesar, AE follis, Cyzicus Mint (1st Officina), AD 318-324. Obv. Helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding round shield over left shoulder and spear over right shoulder, DN VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C / Rev. Jupiter standing facing, head left, chlamys over left shoulder, holding crowning Victory with right hand and eagle-tipped long scepter with left hand; at his feet to left, another eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; at his feet to right, bound captive with beard, seated right, head turned back to left; IOVI CONS-ERVATORI around; X/IIμ [μ = lower-case M or mu] in right field [mark of value signifying 12 ½?*]; in exergue, mintmark SMKA (Cyzicus, 1st Officina). 19 mm., 3.48 g., 12 h. RIC VII Cyzicus 18[A] at p. 646; Sear RCV IV 15409, Cohen 21. Purchased from London Ancient Coins, Feb. 2022. Reverse die match (see https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/licinius_II/_cyzicus_RIC_018_A.jpg) to example posted at Wildwinds,com, which is ex CNG March 2015. 

*See Sear RCV IV at p. 396 re the X/IIμ in reverse right field: “It has been suggested that the curious numerical formula in the reverse field indicates a revaluation of the follis from 25 to 12 ½ denarii (cf. Carson, “Coins of the Roman Empire”, p. 167).”  See RIC VII at p. 12 & n.5:  "The figure [X]IIμ on the coin reverses clearly stands for 12 1/2.  The last sign is clearly an episemon [a distinguishing mark or symbol], epigraphically employed for S(emis) [1/2] also." Other sources describe the “X” as a star (e.g., Roma Numismatics 2022 at https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=8964547 ), and describe the “IIμ” as a “III” (see Gorny & Mosch 2015 at https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2379511, and CNG 2011 at https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1123276 ) or a IIΓ [gamma].

****

Does anyone have any opinions on the issue discussed in the footnote?
 

Edited April 17, 2023 by DonnaML

[Pellinore]

The billon argenteus of Licinius I. 

Licinius I, BI argenteus, Arles, 319-20. Obv. IMP LICI NIVS AVG. Laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVG Emperor riding on eagle, flying to right, TARL in exergue. 16.5 mm, 2.46 gr. RSC 99var. RIC 196. 

And another Licinius - somehow I have five Liciniusses I and three IIs. 

Licinius I. AE reduced follis, Rome, 318. Obv. Laureated, draped and cuirassed bust r.  IMP LICINIVS P F AVG. Rev. Jupiter standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, holding thunderbolt horizontally, and sceptre. Wreath in left field. IOVI CONSE-RVATORI/ RQ in exergue. 20 mm, 3.34 gr. Bought from Frank Robinson in 2017.

Poor Licinius II somehow was put on coins with an extra small bust, put up as a doll in military clothes, and murdered when he was useless some time after his father's execution. 

Licinius II, caesar (317-324). Follis, Cyzicus. 317-320 AD. Obv. Small laureate, draped half-length bust left, holding mappa, globe and sceptre. D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C. Rev. Jupiter standing left, holding Victory and sceptre, wreath to left, Γ to right. IOVI CONSERVATORI CAESS. Mintmark SMK. 18.5 mm, 3.00 gr. 

Licinius II, caesar (317-324). Follis, Cyzicus. 317-320 AD. Obv. Helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over shoulder and shield on arm. D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C. Rev. Jupiter standing left, holding crowning Victory on globe and sceptre; at feet to left, eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; to right, bound captive seated right, head left. X/ III in the field. IOVI CONSERVATORI / SMKΓ. 18.5 mm, 3.18 gr. 

[Severus Alexander]

My two favourite portraits of Licinius I, from Rome and Antioch respectively:

I also quite like this Siscia even though it is ordinary head right:

... and this London too:

Something unusual: here he is with his face obliterated by an Umayyad fals overstrike.  The undertype is definitely a Ticinum Sol issue, probably RIC VII 4.  This fals was struck 2500 km away, in Syria, 400 years later!! 🤯 

^ oriented according to the undertype

And finally, here's my favourite Licinius II portrait, from Cyzicus:

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

28 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

My two favourite portraits of Licinius I, from Rome and Antioch respectively:

I also quite like this Siscia even though it is ordinary head right:

... and this London too:

Something unusual: here he is with his face obliterated by an Umayyad fals overstrike.  The undertype is definitely a Ticinum Sol issue, probably RIC VII 4.  This fals was struck 2500 km away, in Syria, 400 years later!! 🤯 

^ oriented according to the undertype

And finally, here's my favourite Licinius II portrait, from Cyzicus:

The Umayyad Fals overstrike is quite interesting and unique. I also like the eternal rome piece (same type as the one I showed above) but with less corrosion.