IOVI CONSERVATORI Folles of Licinius Minted at Nikomedia

Certain reverse types of Roman coins were popular and used by a number of different emperors at a wide range of mints with the IOVI CONSERVATORI type one such style. Licinius was one of the emperors that used this style, and several folles of his, all minted at Nikomedia, are shown here.

The obverse is the head of Licinius facing right, and all portraits show him with a beard, goatee, forehead ridges, and with a three band laurel wreath. The obverse legend of all coins is IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PF AVG. The reverses of all coins show Jupiter standing, holding Victory and a scepter, an eagle at his feet, and have the inscription IOVI CONSERVATORI broken between the S and the E. The exergue of all coins is SMN.

The reverse is most notably where differences occur however. Although stylistic differences exist between emperors and mints for any given type in common, it is interesting to see differences at one single mint for one emperor for one type of coin. For the coins below, in particular note:

  1. The letters in the reverse right field.
  2. The angle of the wreath held in the eagle's beak.
  3. The length of the ties of the wreath.
  4. The position of the eagle's wings.
  5. The shape and thickness of Victory.
  6. The extent at which Jupiter leans.

  1. N B
  2. to right
  3. no ties
  4. up
  5. thin
  6. much
  1. N Γ
  2. to upper right
  3. long ties
  4. back
  5. thick
  6. little

  1. N Δ
  2. to upper right
  3. medium ties
  4. back
  5. thick
  6. little

  1. N ε
  2. to upper right
  3. no ties
  4. back
  5. thick
  6. little

  1. S
  2. to upper right
  3. no ties
  4. back
  5. thick
  6. some

  1. N S
  2. to upper right
  3. no ties
  4. up
  5. thick
  6. some

  1. Z
  2. to upper right
  3. no ties
  4. back
  5. thin
  6. little

  1. N Z
  2. to right
  3. small ties
  4. back
  5. thick
  6. little

Please direct comments to calkinsc@lotn.org