How to Identify the Licinius Follis

What Is the Licinius Follis?

Licinius rose to Augustus of the eastern empire in 308 and became Constantine the Great's main rival for sole rule, eventually defeated and executed in 324 after a prolonged civil war. His follis coinage spans the last phase of the Tetrarchic system into the early Constantinian era, and shows the denomination's continued reduction in size and weight over that period.

Obverse Design and Inscriptions

The obverse shows a laureate, and later laureate-and-cuirassed, bust right, with the legend IMP LICINIVS PF AVG or IMP C VAL LICINIVS PF AVG.

Reverse Design and Inscriptions

Early coins continue the GENIO POP ROM Genius type. From around 313 onward, the dominant type becomes IOVI CONSERVATORI, showing Jupiter standing with an eagle and a small Victory figure, reflecting Licinius's continued attachment to traditional pagan cult in contrast to Constantine's growing Christian associations. Later issues also use SOLI INVICTO COMITI.

Size, Weight, and Metal

By Licinius's reign the follis had shrunk considerably from Diocletian's original standard, typically measuring roughly 20-23mm and weighing about 3-4 grams, continuing the empire's gradual currency reduction.

Mint Marks and Where to Find Them

Coins were struck at numerous eastern mints, including Antioch, Nicomedia, Cyzicus, Heraclea, Siscia, and Thessalonica, with exergue city codes followed by officina letters or numerals.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

His son Licinius II, made Caesar in 317, shares a youthful portrait with the legend D N VAL LICINIVS NOB CAES or LICINIVS IVN NOB C, distinguishing him from his father's mature bust. Contemporary rival Constantine I's coinage from the same years is distinguished simply by the differing emperor name in the legend, though coins of both rulers circulated together before their final war.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Check the Jupiter figure's eagle and Victory attributes for detail on IOVI CONSERVATORI reverses, along with the usual portrait wear points on the obverse.

Authenticity Red Flags

Standard cautions against cast fakes and re-silvered surfaces apply, as with other late Tetrarchic-era folles. Also verify that the reverse type is consistent with the expected date range for the coin, since a GENIO POP ROM reverse paired with a portrait style typical of the later 313-324 period would be an inconsistency worth further scrutiny.