This Constantinopolis commemorative has a cross-like design resembling an equilateral or Greek cross engraved on the shield. Whether or not this was meant as Christian symbolism or was just a design the engraver liked is debatable; but it is still an extraordinary example.
It seems appropriate to include the quote from Palladas, a fourth-century pagan poet, who wrote mockingly about the city of Constantinople and coins with Victories on the prow --
"Here we are, the Victories, the laughing maidens, bearing victories to the Christ-loving city. Those who loved the city fashioned us, stamping figures appropriate to the victories." (Anth. Plan. 282)
Constantinopolis Commemorative
A.D. 330-3
17mm 2.4gm
Obv. CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding reversed spear/scepter.
Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield engraved with equilateral cross.
in ex. BSIS
RIC VII Siscia 224
Here's another example with an engraved shield. With the dots, it doesn't look like an equilateral cross, but rather just a design that divides the shield into four equal parts.
Constantinopolis Commemorative
A.D. 330-3
18mm 2.4gm
Obv. CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding reversed spear/scepter.
Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield engraved with equilateral cross.
in ex. BSIS
RIC VII Siscia 224
another example and three different dies
2.4gm 18mm
another example
Constantinus I. (307 - 337 n. Chr.). Constantinopolis - Prägungen.
Follis. 330 - 333 n. Chr. Siscia.
Vs: CONSTAN - TINOPOLIS. Drapierte Büste der Constantinopolis mit Helm, Lorbeerkranz und Szepter links.
Rs: Victoria mit Lanze und Schild nach links stehend, Fuß auf Schiffsbug gesetzt; im Abschnitt B SIS.
19 mm. 2,40 g.
RIC VII, S. 453, 224.
Vorzüglich.
Interesting ! I've never paid attention to this detail. I do believe that it comes from how the engraver has interpreted the shape of the thyreos.
Also interesting to compare with Lyon 246 which is often represented with a Macedonian shield seen from aside.
http://www.nummus-bible-database.com/rechercher-une-monnaie.htm?page=1&personnages=15&ateliers=13&collections=&vendeurs=&motscles=&numric=247&numnbd=&legendes=&nombreResultats=50&btRechercher=Rechercher
Quote from: Genio popvli romani on July 19, 2017, 09:55:16 AM
Interesting ! I've never paid attention to this detail.
For the years that I collected this series, I had never seen a shield from Siscia like this, then four examples in a year.
here is another example 18mm 2.5gm