Numismatic

Roman Empire BI Nummus Licinius II (317-324 AD) NGC (Random)

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Struck between the years 317 and 324 AD, this copper nummus represents a fascinating chapter in the story of the ancient Roman Empire. The coin belongs to the House of Constantine series, a group of fifteen distinct issues dedicated to the family members and predecessors of the dynasty named for Constantine the Great, who eventually established himself as the solitary ruler of the empire in 324 AD. This specific AE3 denomination coin highlights Licinius II, the son of Emperor Licinius I. Raised to the rank of Caesar as a young boy, his portrait is captured on the obverse of the coin, depicted as a bust looking toward the left. While the reverse imagery of these ancient pieces can vary, each coin serves as a direct physical connection to the complex family alliances and power struggles of fourth-century Rome.