The Roman Empire
Domitian


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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5
Grade Comment: silvering
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Early in the second decade of 4th century BC, the co-rulers of the Western Roman Empire, Licinius I (c. 263 -325 AD) and Constantine I, partnered themselves against the Eastern Augustus, Maximinus, and his ally in Rome, the usurper Maxentius. While preoccupied with common enemies, the rivalry between Licinius and Constantine would have to wait. The elimination of Maxentius fell to Constantine. The latter outfitted his forces with symbols inspired by the Christian God in a dream, and in 312 AD, though outnumbered, successfully defeated Maxentius and regained Rome. The following year, Licinius prepared for a decisive battle against Maximinus by teaching his troops a prayer that came to him in a dream (via an angel of God, denomination not specified). Licinius’ troops, although outnumbered, were motivated and managed the victory. The parallel between the two religious-inspired victories was most likely intentional. It is even though that afterwards Constantine upwardly revised his story to make it more impressive than Licinius’. The Roman Empire was now down to two Augusti, Licinius with control of the East and Constantine the West. The two negotiated, and came to several agreements. One such was the Edict of Milan in 313 AD wherein the Augusti agreed to officially tolerate Christianity and all religions. For his part, Licinius remained neutral in his language, allowing worship of “any Divinity whatsoever in the seat of the heavens,” whereas Constantine took an active role in promoting Christianity. Also as part of the dealings, Licinius married Constantine's half-sister Constantia, and she later bore him a son, Licianus. It was agreed that the latter became eastern Caesar, whereas Constantine’s sons, Crispus and Constantine II, became western co-Caesars. This coin was minted in Alexandria, Egypt sometime between 317 and 320 AD, when the two co-Augusti reigned over their respective realms. Licinius is portrayed with an extremely broad neck, large eyes and nose, prominent eyebrow, and is holding scepter and mappa, a ceremonial cloth that was associated with the status of consul (the original intent was for it to be dropped by the Emperor to signal the start of chariot races at the Circus). On the verso is the typical motif of Jupiter holding globe and scepter, with the epithet IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG, with the double G denoting the presence of the two co-Augusti. When this coin was minted, there was relative (uneasy) peace between the co-Augusti. However, the situation was extremely dynamic, with on-and-off again diplomatic and military sparring against one another for a decade. Not once, but twice, Licinius denounced Constantine as western Augustus, even proclaiming new western Augusti (obviously, a futile exercise that was in name only). Over time, Constantine and his sons gained the advantage, and Licinius finally accepted defeat in 324 AD. Constantine made sure that Licinius was branded as a ruthless pagan, and abolished all his imperial vestiges, from judicial proceedings to statues. Licinius’ life was initially spared, at the pleading of Constantia. Later, Constantine, a master schemer not known to leave any loose ends, had his brother-in-law, along with his his ten-year-old nephew, Licinius II, killed. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Licinius I, 308-324 AD, AE3 (Billon Nummus) (3.29 g), minted 317-310 AD in Alexandria, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped bust left, holding mappa and scepter on globe, IMP LICI-NIVS AVG, Reverse: Jupiter standing left, holding globe and scepter, crescent to left, A to right, IOVI CONSER-VATORI AVGG, SMAL in exergue, Reference: RIC 23 (VII, Alexandria).

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