Floral design on VLPP shield

[Victor]

This Siscia VLPP has an unusual shield decoration. There are perhaps 4-5 different shield designs (horseman, studded, vertical lines, plain (with or without shield boss) and assorted patterns (like this coin) are the main types) with a great variety of differences among each design; but this one is very different. It is also a rarer design...I have had only a few examples over the years and seen a few more. I really don't know what is depicted on the shield--  though I believe it is probably a floral design; but might be an astronomical element or perhaps just a geometric pattern. The crossbar of the helmet also has what looks like a lower case i.

Constantine I
A.D. 319
19x20mm   3.1gm
CONSTANTI-NVS AVG; high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm
VICT • LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar inscribed with the letter I.
In ex. •BSIS• 
RIC VII Siscia 84


I found a picture of an Irish shield (O'Donovan's shield) from around the 15th century with a similar pattern

[Victor]

I just saw some very similar examples of this shield design. Below is a Byzantine silver plate from A.D. 629-630 depicting the battle of David and Goliath.

the link to the plate with more info--

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/17.190.396/


and a Probus coin with a similar floral design

[Victor]

here's a lead amulet with the same design

[Victor]

here's a Crispus from Siscia with a floral design that I was the underbidder on.

RIC VII Siscia 64

[Victor]

here's a floral design on a shield that is unusual because of the small size.



Constantine I
A.D. 319
20mm    3.6gm
IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; high crested helmet, cuir., spear across r. shoulder, shield on left arm. 
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar.
in ex. ESIS dot   
RIC VII Siscia 61

[seuk]

3rd ct. relief of a solider with floral shield found in Serbia.
https://www.facebook.com/archeoserbia/photos/a.1495322884112799/2132353953743019/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Roman marble relief of a soldier, 3rd century AD, found in Serbia.
Relief is depicting Roman soldier in full armour, with helmet, shield and sword.
Dimensions – 28.5 cm x 17.5 cm.
Petrović-Vesić private collection, kept in Germany

[Victor]

awesome...thanks for posting