Ave!
My Unique
Gem -
Back in 2003, I came across a non-descript little AE 3 with a crumbly
patina in an uncleaned lot. As I only collect
Licinius II, I was stunned to read the legends on the coin. I sent it to David
Sear for
attribution as I couldn't believe what I'd found...and below is
his reply:
Ruler/ Licinius Junior (Caesar AD 317-324)
Denomination/ AE 3 (centenionalis or reduced follis)
Date/ 320 AD
Diameter/ 18 mm
Mint/ Rome (3rd officina)
Weight/ 2.65 grams
Obverse/ LICINIUS IVN NOB C; laureate, draped and
cuirassed bust of Licinius Junior right.
Reverse/ VOT / XV FEL / XX RT in three lines within
laurel wreath.
References/ RIC VII, p. 319 variant -- this officina
not recorded; Cohen 77 varient.
Grade/ F, very rare and interesting, a previously
unrecorded officina for this type (RIC notes only the
first officina, 'P')
RIC lists this coin as an R5, 10 or less known to exist.
I'm informed that this particular issue hasn't been up
for sale in the last 20 years. When you add the previously
unrecorded mint officina, this coin is not only very rare,
it is apparently unique.
Over all these years, I've been blessed to have come across many
Roman R5 coins, but none that was unique.
I give you
joy of hunting, my friends. If it happened to me, it can happen to you.
Best regards,
Kevin