Ave!

Licinius Follis, Genio Imperatoris, Cyzicus Mint

AE Follis, 26mm/6.7gm, Struck 309-10 AD

Obv/ VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS PF AVG; laur. head r.

Rev/ GENIO IMPERATORIS; Genius standing l., wearing chalmys and crowned with modius, holding cornucopia and patera from which liquor flows. B/* in opposing fields.

Cyzicus Mint: MKV in exergue

Con/ aEF or a bit better; dark olive patina with an eye-pleasing star-spray of original silvering on both sides.

Ref/ RIC VI 57

Kevins Note/ at 309-10 AD, this is a very early Licinius issue. Still feeling his way as the new Eastern Roman Emperor, hence the very long obv legend. In later years it would simply read IMP LICINIVS AVG. RIC rates this coin as common, but after close to twenty years, this is the very first example of this obverse legend that we have ever had the opportunity to present here on NRC.