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


Reference : AYC #5 f, off var, RIC 910
Weight:
Metal: Gold
Diameter:
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

CONOB
Numéro :

Photo of a coin sold the 18/09/2003 by AuktionsHaus H.D. Rauch GmbH, Summer Auction 2013, lot 1081, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1679819, link to their website: https://www.hdrauch.com/site/de/.

''off var'' in the reference indicate that this is the officina letter that constitutes the variant.

Variant with jewells on the diadem and with inverted officina letter. 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.

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.