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

D  ZEO – 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.

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

Photo of a coin sold the 17/01/2018 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 412, lot 716, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=4698853, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.

Variant without jewels on the diadem and the letters N reversed on the obverse. This error is common in Roman coinage and seems to be associated with an engraver who does not have a good command of the Latin language. For example, this error is often found in imitations. When we know that the Visigoths worked in the mints during this troubled period, it is not surprising to see this error. However it seems very rare and this can also be explained by the fact that the Visigoths were well Latinized. ''obv var'' is noted in the reference so as not to be confused with ''var'' which simply indicates an absence of jewels on the diadem. I assigned the corresponding RIC number to the similar legend without error. The style of this coin is questionable, 3rd or 5th issue? I chose to classify it in the 3rd issue. The same variant with the retrograde letters N exists for the same officina in the 5th issue. See AYC # 9 i var Obv var, RIC 930.

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.