VLPP from Siscia with hippocamp on shield

[Victor]

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.    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.

[Victor]

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

[siscia_avg]

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

[Victor]

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.