Ave!

Licinius II, Ticinum, Holding Victory Portrait with 20-Year Vow reverse

Æ Follis; 19mm/2.5gn    Struck c. 319-320 AD

Con/ Good Very Fine - Perfectly centered  to either side, crisp legends, excellent portrait, with a wonderful, nearly unblemished, dark green patina.

Obv/ LICINIVS IVN NOB C; laur., and cuir. bust l., holding Victory on Globe in r. hand and holding mappa in l. hand.

Rev/ VIRTVS EXERCIT; two bound captives flanking a standard inscribed VOT XX, Chi-Rho monogram in left field. The captive to right looks back and upward to the standard in shock and awe.

Ticinum Mint - TT in exergue.

Ref/ RIC Vol VII 125 = Rare 4

Seller's Note/ Licinius II, was son of Licinius, grandson of Constantius I, and half-nephew of Constantine, born to Flavia Julia Constantia in July or August 315. At the time this coin was struck he was only five or six years old! So, why a 20 year vow? Constantine I struck similar issues to celebrate his older sons Crispus and Constantine II, hence Licinius I followed suit and did the same for his only son.