Ave!

Licinius I and Licinius II, Holding Fortuna obverse, Rare 5

Æ 2 (Nummus); 22mm/5.1gm  Struck ca. 320 AD

Con/ Some roughness, otherwise, Very Fine. Well struck and perfectly centered on either side, complete and crisp legends, warm brown patina with brassy high-lights.

Obv/ DD NN IOVII LICINII INVICT AVG ET CAES; confronted, draped half-length busts of Licinius I and Licinius II holding between them a statue of Fortuna.

Rev/ I O M ET FORT CONSER (=Jupiter Best and Greatest and the Protection of Fortuna) DD NN AVG ET CAES; Fortuna, holding cornucopia and rudder, standing before Jupiter, being crowned by Victory on globe which he holds.

Nicomedia Mint; SMNA in exergue

Ref/ RIC Vol VII, 38 (Nicomedia), Vagi 3015

Seller's Note/ Apparently struck to celebrate the investitures of Constantine II and Licinius II with the title Caesar, 317 or 318 AD. RIC VII places it in 320 AD. If RIC is correct with their date, Licinius junior was only 5 years old, although he is presented on the obverse as a young man.