Licinius I

Valerius Licinianus Licinius

Dynasty: Family of Constantine

Licinius I, believed to come from an undistinguished background, was a comrade of Galerius. After the death of Severus and the Council of Carnutum in AD 308, he was appointed the Augustus of the West, surprising both Constantine and Maximinus, who were already Caesars and passed over, and Maxentius, who was the son of the former emperor Maximianus. Licinius quickly came to terms with Constantine though, and was betrothed to Constantine's half-sister. An early clash with Maximinus came to nothing, and both parties agreed to divide their territory at the Bosphorus. However, Maximinus soon invaded Licinius' territory again but this time, despite the fact that Maximinus had twice the manpower, he was soundly defeated. Maximinus fled, but fell ill and died, and Licinius claimed Maximinus' territory. Meanwhile Constantine had defeated Maxentius, and the whole Roman world was divided between the two. Licinius married Constantine's half sister, and both their sons were appointed their father's Caesars. But conflict was inevitable. Relations gradually broke down, until there was outright war. Constantine defeated Licinius in 324 in two battles, though on his sister's pleadings, Licinius and his son were allowed to live. Barely a year later, Constantine reneged on this decision and had them both executed

Obverse Legends on coins depicting Licinius I

For explanations of many of the abbreviations used in Roman imperial obverse legends, click here.

• DD NN IOVII LICINII INVICT AVG ET CAES
• DD NN LICINIVS PF AVG ET LICINIVS CAESAR
• IMP C LIC LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP C LIC LICINNIVS PF AVG
• IMP C LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP C VAL LIC LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP C VAL LIC LICINNIVS PF AVG
• IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP C VAL LICINIAN LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP C VALER LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP C VALER LICIN LICINNIVS PF AVG
• IMP LIC LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP LICINIVS AVG
• IMP LICINIVS P AVG
• IMP LICINIVS PF AVG
• IMP LICINIVS PIVS FELIX AVG
• LICINIVS AVG
• LICINIVS AVGVSTVS
• LICINIVS P AVG
• LICINIVS PF AVG
• LICINIVS PIVS AVG
• LICINNIVS AVGVSTVS
• LICINNIVS PF AVG
• VAL LICINIVS PF AVG
• VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG

Coins of Licinius I currently available

	Licinius I Bronze follis issued AD 312 Obv: IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG, Laureate head facing right Rev: SOLI INVICTO, (SMN in ex.), Sol standing hand outstretched, holding head of Serapis, ∗Z in left field Very Fine   |   AUD $70.00
	Licinius I Bronze follis issued AD 313-317 Obv: IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG, Laureate head facing right Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI, (SMN in ex.), Jupiter standing left, chlamys across shoulder, leaning on sceptre, Victory on globe in right hand; eagle holding wreath to left, N A in right field Good Very Fine   |   AUD $90.00
	Licinius I Bronze AE3 issued AD 318-324 Obv: IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust facing right Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI, (SMANTΓ in ex.), Jupiter standing left, chlamys across shoulder, leaning on sceptre, Victory on globe in right hand; eagle holding wreath to left, captive at feet Good Very Fine   |   AUD $50.00