Late Roman Bronze Coins
Coin talk => COTD => Topic started by: Victor on February 28, 2018, 02:18:45 PM
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This coin was just auctioned in a CNG e-auction 415. It has a hippocamp on the shield. In all my years of collecting this series, I have never seen another example like this. Maybe it is something that only appeals to a specialist, but I think it is pretty cool. :D It looks like either Siscia 50,56 or possibly 61, though the bust looks like earlier issues. There is also a radiate Constantine coin in the lot which must have a VOT XX reverse -- Ticinum 131.
I also find it interesting that CNG thought so little of this coin as to throw in in a grubby group; but I am sure that it sold for a cheaper price due to the way it was listed.
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Constantine I
A.D. 318-19
18mm 2.4gm
IMP CONSTANT-INVS AVG; high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm inscribed with hippocamp.
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP -- two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding wreath inscribed VOT PR on altar.
in ex. BSIS
RIC VII Siscia 56
and the radiate and Vetranio
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Nice catch!
it's third example that I know of, all same dies, RIC 56 but small correction it is delta not BSIS as clearly seen on my 2nd example but not on other two.
First one I bought from Beast Coins, he thought shield has large letters K B, it's on his page http://www.beastcoins.com/Topical/VLPP/Coins/Siscia/VLPP-Siscia.htm
For me looked like horse in opposite direction (like you found some lately) but I compared it with some shields from Probus, described as gryphons. So I have them listed as gryphon shield, but I welcome hippocamp as much better attribution.
Anyway it always fascinating to see how many new variants are still out there.
Best,
Damir
PS - Your post on coin talk brought me here :)
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For me looked like horse in opposite direction (like you found some lately) but I compared it with some shields from Probus, described as gryphons. So I have them listed as gryphon shield, but I welcome hippocamp as much better attribution.
Yes, at first I thought it was a gryphon, but the closer I looked, the more it resembled a hippocamp.
thanks for the link to Beast's old example. I am sure I had seen it before and seem to remember thinking that his description did not seem right.