Licinius I (308-324 AD), co-Emperor with Constantine I the Great until he was murdered in 325 AD (along with his little son) by the order of Constantine.
He was elevated by Galerius during the Tetrarchic civil wars and initially ruled the Balkans and other eastern territories. In 313 AD he met Constantine I at Milan, where the two Emperors agreed on a policy of religious toleration commonly associated with the Edict of Milan.
Licinius later defeated Maximinus II and became sole ruler of the eastern half of the Roman Empire. Relations with Constantine gradually deteriorated, leading to repeated civil wars. After his final defeat at the battles of Adrianople and Chrysopolis in 324 AD, Licinius surrendered and was executed the following year.
His coinage was struck at numerous eastern mints in gold, silver and bronze. Portraits usually show him with a laureate or radiate bust, while reverse types promote military victory, imperial unity, Jupiter and the security of the state. Some of his later coins also include Christian symbols, reflecting the changing religious landscape of the early fourth century.
IOVI CONSERVATORI: meaning: "to Jupiter the Protector".
