Late Roman Bronze Coins

Coin talk => Identification => Topic started by: ambr0zie on October 27, 2020, 02:49:46 PM

Title: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: ambr0zie on October 27, 2020, 02:49:46 PM

Good afternoon,
Saw this coin for sale, quite worn Vot V type.
The seller said it's a Constantius II (and quite adamant) but I can't find a match.
First, all Constantius II Vot V have a different reverses (afaik) and this reverse type suits for other rulers.
What strikes me is the cross sign over VOT, I haven't found this design of the wreath anywhere except for Valens siliqua
Antioch
RIC IX 33b2
but that looks like a real cross.
I am not convinced that on this coin that is a Christian symbol but nevertheless puzzles me.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: six2ten on October 27, 2020, 03:34:34 PM

RIC 8 Alexandria 92 is a VOT V coin of Jovian and the footnote says cross in jewel at top of wreath - could be a candidate ?

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: ambr0zie on October 27, 2020, 03:44:58 PM

Thank you, certainly a possbility.
Also RIC 230 Antioch.
Anyway not Constantius II as the seller insisted.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: Victor on October 27, 2020, 03:46:58 PM

here's an example for Jovian from Alexandria, though your mintmark looks different, but maybe it is ALEB, with LE weak.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: ambr0zie on October 27, 2020, 03:49:16 PM

Thank you as well, Victor.
This also fits (I cannot distinguish anything on the mintmark from the pictures, they were made by the seller, I am still unsure if I should buy it or not).
Is this a rare coin, as I don't have a Jovian in my collection (although my ancient collection consists in merely 75 coins)

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: Victor on October 27, 2020, 03:52:42 PM

it's rarer (rated scarce in RIC), the example I posted I sold for $75, but it had clear legends with mintmark visible.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: ambr0zie on October 27, 2020, 03:56:37 PM

Your example is a good coin, no issues in identifying it, everything readable.
The price is about 10$. I will think about it, it's sold in a Facebook group where there are no ancient coin collectors.
Can't say I like it too much, the only interesting thing is the cross in the wreath, never seen one before.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: Victor on October 27, 2020, 04:01:15 PM

Equilateral crosses show up every now and then on assorted bronzes. You can't be sure there is any religious sentiment or if it is just a design element. The price for this one is not bad, but if it did not have the cross it would not be worth much at all.

I recently got this coin that has an equilateral cross in the center of the helmet, with a dot in each corner.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: ambr0zie on October 27, 2020, 04:28:38 PM

Superb coin and a superb design.

I wasn't aware about the cross, can't say I studied this symbol too much.
I checked to see if I have this kind of surprises in my collection but except for a rare type of Trajanus, nothing spectacular.

Title: Re: A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?
Post by: Joshmaggosh on October 28, 2020, 01:53:48 AM

I think Jovian too. Here's mine from officina ALE Gamma. The OP coin looks to be ALEB I think. I'm not sure if any of Julian's coins had the "cross" but also pictured below is my Jovian-proceeding Julian from the same officina (ALE Gamma) with a dot rather than crossed lines. These coins are somewhat close in time and from the same mint. It is an interesting difference.
 

 

Edit: Oops... sorry for the image size.