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VICTORIA AVGGG (2nd reign, 476 / 491, 3rd issue)

Reference : AYC #5 f var, RIC 911
Weight: 4.45 grs
Metal: Gold
Diameter: 21.00 mm
Scarcity: Scarce
Type:

Obverse

Reverse

D N ZENO – PERP AVG

Bust of Zeno facing, cuirassed, wearing helmet with crest and a pearl diadem. Holding a spear passing behind his head with the right hand and a decorated shield with a horseman slaying an enemy, with the left hand.

VICTORI - A AVGGG

An angel standing left, holding a long latin cross decorated with jewels. Behind her on the right, a star.

Marks

S
CONOB
Numéro :

Photo of a coin sold the 01/03/2017 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 392, lot 632, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3676491, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.

Variant without jewells on the diadem and with officina letter in the normal orientation. I note that the letter of officina S, is seen in different directions. On all legend breaks, jewelry variants and even in the 5th issue. Letter inclined, inclined and inverted, upright position.. The RIC X referenced the officina letter Z and reversed Z. Likewise, I note these variations of orientation of the letter S. This small detail perhaps indicating a particular series.

I note a coin, the letter G of AVG on the obverse is inscribed ''in'' the shield. This detail shows that the legend seems to have been inscribed before the portrait or in any case before the engraving of the shield. Here is the coin:

Photo of a coin sold the 19/04/2016 by Auktionshaus H.D. Rauch GmbH, Auction 101, lot 1776, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3035339, link to their website: https://www.hdrauch.com/site/de/.

The coins of the third issue are recognizable by their style. The bust is similar to that of the first two issues and that of Basiliscus. Be careful though because many coins are between the style of Basiliscus and the one found later (RIC 929 and 930 with a wider face with long and wide nose, looking more slightly to the right).

On the reverse I noted ''Angel'' in the description. We can also say that this is Victoria but the image of the victory at that time had indeed become that of an angel symbolizing the Christian victory.