Bronze Coin of Emperor Licinius - C.4342 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 308 AD to 324 ADCollection: Numismatics Style: Roman Medium: Bronze Born of Illyrian peasant stock, Licinius advanced in the army and was suddenly elevated to the rank of Augustus by his friend, Emperor Galerius. Galerius hoped to have him rule the West, but since Italy, Africa, and Spain were held by the usurper Maxentius, while Constantine reigned in Gaul and Britain, Licinius had to content himself with ruling Pannonia. When Galerius died in 311, Licinius took over Galerius' European dominions. In 313, he married Constantine's half sister Constantia and defeated the Eastern emperor Maximinus who shortly thereafter died. Licinius thus added the entire eastern half of the empire to his dominion. During the campaign against Maximinus, Licinius had made his army use a monotheistic form of prayer closely resembling that later imposed by Constantine. On June 5, 313, he had issued an edict granting tolerance to the Christians and restoring church property.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins