308-324 Roman Empire Licinius I Follis bronze coin, Nicomedia mint, obverse engraved laureate bust right, reverse engraved Jupiter standing left holding Victory and scepter, eagle at his feet, D: 22.3 mm, 3.21 grams. Licinius I was a comrade of emperor Galerius in the Tetrarchic period. Following the abdication of Diocletian and Maximianus, Licinius was raised to the rank of Augustus despite never having held the position of Caesar. After Maximinus II invaded his territories, Licinius marched against him and defeated him soundly. Over the next few years, relations between Licinius and Constantine I deteriorated. Armed conflict broke out several times and Licinius was defeated. Only through the intervention of Licinius' wife, Constantine's sister, was his life spared. However, shortly after he was executed for additional political machinations against Constantine. PROVENANCE: Private collection of Ken Dorney, classical numismatist dealer