Licinius, follis, bronze, reign 308-324, minted 308-324

Licinius, follis, bronze, reign 308-324, minted 308-324, weight 4.5 g, diameter 22 mm. Obverse: IMP LICINIVS P F AVG; laureate, cuirassed bust right. Reverse: GENIO POP ROM; Genius standing left, wearing mural crown, holding patera and cornucopiae; field marks T-F; exergue PTR. Strike: well-centered, moderate relief with complete legends. Toning: dark brown patina with lighter high-points on devices. References: RIC VI Trier 845b; standard classification lists the type as common. Licinius governed the eastern half of the Empire after the abdication of Galerius and shared control with Constantine I until their final conflict in 324. The Trier mint, though located in the western provinces, continued striking coins in Licinius’ name while political alliances remained fluid. The GENIO POP ROM reverse type, introduced under Diocletian, promoted the protective spirit of the Roman people and reinforced allegiance to the imperial college. This bronze follis represents the reduced nummus standard adopted after Diocletian’s currency reforms, illustrating the gradual decline in module and weight typical of early fourth-century bronze issues. The presence of T-F in the reverse fields identifies the third officina at Trier, and the PTR exergue mark confirms production at that mint between approximately 314 and 316, when Licinius briefly controlled the region before ceding it to Constantine.