Roman Empire AE Follis of Licinius I (AD 308–324)

A genuine bronze AE follis struck during the reign of Licinius I, one of the last emperors to govern a divided Roman Empire before Constantine the Great emerged as its sole ruler. His reign unfolded during a period of political alliances, civil war, and sweeping religious change that reshaped the Roman world.

This coin circulated during the final years of the Tetrarchy, a system in which multiple emperors ruled different regions of the empire. Although Licinius initially allied with Constantine and jointly proclaimed the Edict of Milan (AD 313), their relationship deteriorated into a series of civil wars that ended with Constantine's victory and the reunification of the Roman Empire under a single emperor.

This specimen was acquired directly from detectorist Marius Staszak, who personally recovered it through legal metal detecting activities in Europe. Based on information provided by the finder, this coin forms part of a collection of Roman and medieval coins recovered during a 2025 metal-detecting expedition through Romania and Bulgaria. The exact recovery location for this specimen was not documented at the time of discovery.

Each coin includes a printed provenance record documenting its acquisition directly from the finder and its cataloging into the Jill and the Gems historical collection.

Details

• Emperor: Licinius I
• Reign: AD 308–324
• Type: Roman Empire AE Follis (Bronze)
• Collection Number: JTG-R-042
• Provenance: Acquired directly from the finder
• Includes: Printed provenance record

Historical Highlights

• One of the final rulers of the Roman Tetrarchy.
• Co-issued the Edict of Milan (AD 313) with Constantine, granting religious tolerance throughout the empire.
• His defeat by Constantine led to the reunification of the Roman Empire under a single emperor.
• His reign marks the closing chapter of one of Rome's most turbulent political transitions.
• This coin circulated more than 1,700 years ago.