Hey guys, I found this coin for 10 $ in the "low grade bronze bin" and I cannot find any information on it. All I can identify on the reverse middle is "VOT" and 3 swastikas underneath, inside of a wreath. Any ideas on identification ? Thank you for looking and for your help, fellow collectors.
They are X's, not swastikas. Swastikas are not common on Roman coins at all, especially imperial ones. They are very common on central Asian and Indian ancient coins, though, and be found on Greek coins.
The Xs represent vows taken by the emperor for a certain number of years. The number below the vota can vary.
I recently sent my daughter photos of coins in the upcoming Triton XVIII auction, including this one and she said she liked it, especially the reverse with the very detailed female head "inside what looks like a swastika". I laughed, but she's right!
That is a beautiful coin. I do not know this coin in particular, but I am assuming it is a Roman Republican. What you are calling "swastika" are very ancient symbols used in many cultures. The Nazi's gave it a bad name.
One of a multitude of drool-worthy coins in Triton. I hope to successfully bid on one or two coins in that auction.
This thread got a bit off track. For the sake of the OP, I'll post a similar VOTA type of Constantius II... The seraphs on these X's are completely intact.
You're going to upset medoraman; they're not actually swastikas despite how closely they resemble them.
I think he was referring to different coins. But which Romans have swastikas? Not any Imperials that I'm aware of. Any Provincials?
=> ooops ... oh well Seattlite86, hopefully medoraman will cut me some slack? (I merely got caught-up in the hoopla!!)
Haha, I don't blame you one bit. I'm guessing if he didn't correct you as of yet, then you haven't drawn his ire.