Ancient Roman Bronze Coin of Emperor Licinius II (Rival Dynasty of Constantine the Great)

Own a Bronze Coin from the Child Emperor Who Was Executed When Constantine No Longer Needed the Alliance He Represented

A real AE3 bronze of Licinius II — the young Caesar elevated at age one as a symbol of the fragile Constantine-Licinius alliance, whose coins circulated through the uneasy peace between the empire's two halves, and who was executed around AD 326 in the dynastic purges that followed his father's defeat. NGC certified.

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👑 Elevated to Caesar at approximately one year old — a dynastic symbol rather than a ruler, his infant portrait circulating as propaganda for a political alliance both emperors knew was temporary
🏛 Reverse depicts military standards, virtues, or religious imagery — stability and cooperation proclaimed by coins struck during the most unstable co-rule in Roman history
🤲 Struck AD 317–324 at eastern mints — his execution around AD 326 making this one of the more historically poignant short-reign issues of the Constantinian era. NGC certified.

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

The elevation of Licinius II to Caesar in AD 317 was a political transaction dressed as dynastic celebration. Following the first civil war between Constantine and Licinius I — which ended in a negotiated peace rather than a decisive victory — both emperors needed to demonstrate renewed unity. Constantine elevated his son Crispus and the infant Constantine II as Caesars; Licinius I elevated his approximately one-year-old son Licinius II. The simultaneous proclamations were theater: four Caesars for four corners of an empire that both senior emperors were privately certain they would eventually fight over again.

The infant portrait on the obverse of this AE3 — laureate or radiate, projected with the same imperial dignity as any adult emperor — is one of Roman numismatics' most striking illustrations of how coinage functioned as propaganda. Licinius II could not govern, command, or even speak coherently when these coins were struck. His portrait circulated anyway, announcing to every person who handled the coin that the dynasty was stable, the alliance was genuine, and the future was secured. None of it was true.

When Constantine defeated Licinius I at Chrysopolis in AD 324, the elder Licinius's execution followed within a year despite promises of safety. Licinius II was initially spared — perhaps as a gesture of clemency to his aunt Constantia, Constantine's sister, who had married Licinius I. But around AD 326, in the same period that saw the execution of Constantine's own son Crispus and the suspicious death of his wife Fausta, Licinius II was also killed. He was approximately ten years old. The purges of AD 326 remain one of the darkest and most debated episodes of Constantine's reign. This bronze was struck when the child it depicted was alive and theoretically the future of the eastern imperial line. Certified by NGC.

Perfect for:

• Collectors of Constantinian dynasty, child Caesar, and Roman AE3 bronze coinage
• History lovers drawn to Licinius II, the Constantine-Licinius civil wars, and the dynastic purges of AD 326
• Infant emperor portrait, short-reign dynastic coinage, and NGC certified late Roman bronze enthusiasts
• Anyone seeking a historically poignant piece from the child whose execution revealed the true cost of Constantine's consolidation

What You'll Receive

• One authentic AE3 bronze of Licinius II
• Denomination: AE3 (small late Roman bronze)
• NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
• Struck AD 317–324 at eastern mints — similar to examples shown (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
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