VICTORIA AVGGG (2nd reign, 476 / 491, 5th issue)


Reference : AYC #9 f, RIC 929
Weight: 4.49 grs
Metal: Gold
Diameter: 26.00 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

Z
CONOB
Numéro :

Photo of a coin sold the 12/02/2015 by Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 344, lot 523, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3318539, link to their website: https://www.cngcoins.com/.

Coin of a style between the 3rd issue and the 5th. I chose to attribute it to the 5th issue. This copy illustrating the coin listed by the RIC X n° 929, source: Stockholm Kungelige Myntkabinett, of which I have not yet been seen the photo.

Variant with jewels on the diadem and with the officina letter in normal orientation (in the same direction as the legend). The RIC X referenced the officina letter Z and inverted Z. I think it was the letter in the normal position and following the direction of the legend, inverted Z being the retrograde version. I also listed a variant that I noted: the one with the “upright” position, that is to say in a normal orientation and readable in the direction of CONOB.

The coins of the fifth issue are recognizable by style. The face is wider with a long and wide nose. Zeno looking more slightly to the right.

On the reverse, I noted ''Angel'' in the description, we can also say that it is about the Victory, but the image of the victory at that time had indeed become that of an angel symbolizing the Christian victory.