Lot 4216
Licinius II, AD 317-32. Gold Aureus (5.2g) minted at Nicomedia, AD 321-322. D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C. Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust facing of Licinius Junior. Reverse: IOVI CONSER - VATORI CAES. Jupiter seated facing on platform, holding Victory standing right on globe in his right hand, resting left on scepter; at his feet to left, eagle standing left, head reverted; Victory and eagle each presenting a wreath; platform inscribed SIC V / SIC X in two lines; in exergue, SMNΓ. Sear 15391; Calicó 5151; RIC 42. Some microscopic scattered hairlines noted. A marvelous example of the full-facing image of the young emperor. Lustrous. Superb Extremely Fine.
Frontal imperial portraits, which were to be a feature of the late Roman and Byzantine coinage, were extremely rare in the early centuries of the Roman imperial coinage. Maxentius began using them on some of his aurei issued at Ostia in the final two years of his reign (AD 310-312), and Licinius showed a propensity to feature them on aurei of Nicomedia and Antioch issued in AD 321/322. This splendid example is in the name of the Caesar Licinius Junior. The rather sketchy portrait of the six-year-old prince is a clear indication that the Nicomedian die engravers of this period had not yet fully mastered the art of frontal portraiture.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 35,000.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $35,650 |
