A Vot V type with a cross in wreath?

Started by ambr0zie, October 27, 2020, 02:49:46 PM

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ambr0zie

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.


six2ten

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 ?

ambr0zie

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

Victor


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


ambr0zie

#4
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)

Victor

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

ambr0zie

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.

Victor

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.


ambr0zie

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.

Joshmaggosh

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.
JovianAlexandriaRICVIII-92.JPG
JulianIIRIC91.jpg
Edit: Oops... sorry for the image size.