The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
Enlarge  
  
Reverse
Enlarge  

Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS* Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5
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 thought that afterwards Constantine upwardly revised his story to make it more impressive than Licinius’. The Roman Empire was now down to two Augusti, Licinius in 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, Licinius II. It was agreed that the latter became eastern Caesar, whereas Constantine’s sons, Crispus and Constantine II, became western co-Caesars. This coin was struck in Aquileia, Italy in 320 AD, when the two co-Augusti reigned over their respective realms. In perhaps a throwback to the Tetrarchy, Licinius' laureate bust is replete with an extremely broad neck and neatly trimmed beard. The obverse epithet proclaims IMP LICI NIVS P F AVG. The interesting reverse presents two poor captives seated on either side of a standard bearing VOT XX, accompanied by the inscription VIRTVS EXERCIT, touting the manly virtue , or bravery, or the army. This particular coin is very rare, in particular when considering its extraordinary state of preservation; a great deal of the original silvering remains. Around the time this coin was struck, there was relative peace between Licinius and Constantine. 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, and he even proclaimed others to take his place, which was obviously futile. After a series of civil wars, including the Battle of Adrianople in 324 AD, Constantine and his sons gained the advantage, and Licinius finally surrendered. Constantine made sure that Licinius was branded as a ruthless pagan, and abolished all his imperial vestiges, from judicial proceedings to statues. Initially, Constantine spared Licinius’ life, heeding the pleas of Constantia. Even so, Constantine, a master schemer not known to leave any loose ends, eventually ordered the execution of his brother-in-law Licinius and his ten-year-old nephew, Licinius II. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Licinius I, 308-324 AD, Æ Follis (19mm, 3.49 g, 12h), Aquileia mint, 2nd officina, struck AD 320, NGC Grade: MS*, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right,IMP LICI-NIVS AVG, Reverse: Two captives seated at base of standard inscribed VOT XX; S-F//AQS, References: RIC VII Aquileia 50 var (obv legend); RIC p. 399, note, citing Dattari.

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in