A.D. 308–324 Nummus Reduced Billon Licinius NGC AU

Don’t Kill Me! I’m Your Brother-In-Law

Roman Emperor Licinius is an often-overlooked figure of ancient history. A contemporary of fellow Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, he jointly ruled the expansive empire for almost two decades with Constantine, his friend and rival. Overlooked no longer, 2024 marks the 1,700th anniversary of Licinius’ penultimate defeat at the Battle of Chrysopolis, one of the most significant events in the history of the Roman Empire. Here you can secure a coin that features Licinius—an emperor who might have been a “Great” emperor himself if not for his conflict with Constantine, who was the all-time “Great” Emperor of the Roman Empire.

Certified, Graded, And Authenticated By NGC In About Uncirculated Condition

This coin is ideal for history-minded collectors. It’s a Nummus coin struck between A.D. 308 and 324 by Licinius in reduced billon—an alloy consisting of gold or silver and a base metal, usually copper. It also comes certified, authenticated, and encapsulated by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in nice About Uncirculated (AU) condition, a remarkable grade for coin that’s nearly 1,700 years old!

Licinius And Constantine Were Related By Marriage

By the time Licinius and Constantine came to power, the Roman Empire was thought to have become a large unwieldly realm that was too large for one man to effectively rule. To manage the empire, Emperor Diocletian divided the government between East and West in A.D. 286, each ruled by its own emperor. From 308 to 324 the East was ruled by Licinius while Constantine ruled the West from 306 to 324. To consolidate their power and cement their partnership in 313, Constantine gave Licinius his half-sister, Flavia Julia Constantia, in marriage. That same year they also co-authored the Edict of Milan, which granted official toleration to Christians within the Roman Empire.

Two Emperors—And Only One Shall Reign!

Though related by marriage, the two soon drifted apart as each emperor sought dominance over the other. Civil war erupted in 314 resulting in an uneasy truce that lasted for the next decade. Constantine declared war on Licinius in 324 and soon cornered his brother-in-law near Chalcedon in Asia Minor near present-day Istanbul. Licinius made his last stand on September 18, 324 at the Battle of Chrysopolis. Constantine used a massive frontal assault to achieve a decisive victory killing 25,000 to 30,000 of Licinius’ best troops while thousands more broke and ran. Only the intercession of Flavia Julia Constantia spared Licinius from being summarily executed. The result left Constantine as the sole emperor of the Roman Empire. A year later, Licinius attempted to regain power with the help of the Goths. Captured by Constantine, he was hanged as a traitor. Constantine went on to reign until 337 when he finally lost to a foe he could not defeat—illness and old age.

Only limited quantities are available, so act fast! Secure this A.D. 308–324 Reduced Billon Nummus of Emperor Licinius now before it disappears into the pages of history!