VICTORIA AVGGG (2nd reign, 476 / 491, 3rd issue)
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.
An angel standing left, holding a long latin cross decorated with jewels. Behind her on the right, a star.
Marks
Photo of a coin sold the 14/05/2014 by Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 96, lot 953, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1957081, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.
Variant with jewels on the diadem and the bar of the officina letter in a horizontal position. This coin can be is questionable, 3rd or 5th issue? We can argue and estimate that the style is not that of the 3rd issue. It is still more distant from that of the 5th issue. This is why I add here a coin where the style is undoubtedly that of the 3rd issue. Here is the coin:
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Photo of a coin sold the 20/06/2012 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 281, lot 468, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1315281, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.
I noted that the obverse dies of the coin illustrated for this AYC #5 i, RIC 910 and of the AYC #5 i, off var, RIC 910, were made by the same engraver. In addition, the coin AYC #5 i, off var, RIC 910 (coin also quoted the AYC# 5 j, RIC 910) and the coin AYC #5 j (1), RIC 910, share the same obverse die. See comments from AYC# 5j, RIC 910.
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.