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


Reference : AYC #9 e obv var, RIC 929
Weight: 4.48 grs
Metal: Gold
Diameter: ?
Scarcity: Scarce
Type:

Obverse

Reverse

D N ZENO – P - ERP 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 :

One coin sold the 05/12/2002 by Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 24, lot 364, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=117757, link to their website: https://www.arsclassicacoins.com/.

Variant with jewels on the diadem, with inclined officina letter and the legend breakt on the obverse P - ERP (not to be confused with the P - ERP series where the letter P is located before the helmet). Unusual break but that we find for example on the AYC # 7 c var, RIC 928 and the AYC # 7 c var TR mark, RIC -. I note that the officina letter S, is seen in different orientations. On all the legend breaks, variants of jewels. Letter inclined, inclined and inverted, in upright position.. The RIC X referenced the officina letter S and ,I think it was the letter S in the correct sense and following the same sense as the rest of the legend,  indicating its retrograde version. Likewise, I note these variations of orientation of the letter S and add the variation in upright position. This little detail perhaps indicating a particular series. 

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.