Follis (Coin) Portraying Emperor Licinius
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.5 cm (1 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
141678
Art Historical Context
This bronze follis, minted in 313 CE, features a portrait of Emperor Licinius, a key figure in the late Roman. Measuring just 2.5 cm in diameter, this unassuming coin was part of everyday currency during a turbulent era. Licinius ruled as co-emperor alongside Constantine I, governing the eastern provinces after rising through the Tetrarchy system established by Diocletian. Struck in the pivotal year of the Edict Milan—which granted religious tolerance to Christians—this piece captures the imperial imagery that symbolized authority and stability amid civil strife. Roman coinage like this folli...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...