Constantine I VLPP from Siscia with hippocamp on shield

This VLPP has a a hippocamp on the shield, which is unusual. In fact, I have never seen another example. There are decorated shields with a horseman leaping over a fallen enemy; but nothing like this.



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


here is another RIC 56 with a horseman leaping over a fallen enemy




and another RIC 56 with horseman leaping over two fallen enemies

 

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Nice pickup, Victor

 

Never seen it either, that's neat, as is the others.

 

wow!

 

Amazing! Is there a reference listing the known shields?

 

RIC VII notes that horseman appear on some shields; which prior to this coin, was right. There are perhaps 4 shield designs (studded, vertical lines, plain (with or without shield boss) and assorted patterns like floral designs) but none with scenes other than horsemen and this coin.

The horsemen, and hippocamp, are almost always from workshop B.

 

Very cool coin Victor, I love the shield with the hippocamp.
I have only one VLPP from Siscia.

Constantine Billon centenionalis, 2nd officina, Siscia mint, 318 - 319 A.D.
18.5mm 3.413g
Obv: IMP CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, helmet with high crest and ornamented with stars, holding spear in right hand over right shoulder.
Rev: VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories holding shield inscribed VOT P R set on altar marked with an X; BSIS in exergue.
RIC VII Siscia 55

 

though RIC VII calls it a shield, I believe the object is actually a wreath.

RIC VII describes the reverse of the VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP coinage as "two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR"; but the object must actually be a wreath.




You can see the wreath decoration at the top of the above example, at around 12 o'clock. All VLPP's have these (except for a rare few), though not always so apparent. Shields do not have these (compare with the shield on the obverse of the VLPP above-- note the shape also), but not all wreaths show these decorations or ties either. Also note the "dots" at top and bottom, which are not always seen on other examples.


The coin below is a fairly standard depiction of a wreath, but without the top decoration/ ties (they are on the bottom). Note how the VOT coinage also has a legend inscribed in the wreath, like the VLPP.




There was a series of coinage for Magnentius and Decentius that has a very similar reverse to the VLPP. The description from RIC VIII correctly calls the object a wreath- "two Victories holding wreath inscribed with VOT V MVLT X"

 

@Victor_Clark , to get one with a shield and something on it is cool. To get a new device is even cooler. I have some
"VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP -- two Victories"
coins, but not like those. This one may be the most interesting:


From Ticinum, it has a cross on the base below the shield on the reverse. Ticinum has some early crosses.

Constantine
Struck 318-319 at Ticinum
18 mm. 2.74 grams. 6:00.
RIC Ticinum 86
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
Two victories facing each other, holding shield inscribed VOT PR on column between them
cross on the column

 

Man, have I ever mentioned how much I hate Constantine? Anyway, here is my example of the OP coin.

 

That's really cool!

 

Wow... a hippocamp as a shield device on an LRB. That's one of the coolest things I've seen so far this year. Thanks for sharing it.

 

What a fantastic detail!!

 

It’s not something I would have noticed right away either. Very cool find.

 

The OP coin is remarkable.

@Valentinian, here's another Constantine VLPP with a cross on the column. And yes, from Ticinum.

 

Very nice Constantine of all. One Siscia without shield:

 

Great coins Victor and all.

 

Super Hippo on Shield @Victor_Clark ! I have to agree with @zumbly and @Valentinian ... finding such an unique attribute on an LRB is fantastic!

I have only one CI from Siscia:


RI Constantine I CE 306-337 Æ Follis 19mm 3.2g Siscia CE 326-7 AVG Laureate R - PROVIDENTIAE AVGG Camp gate 2 turrets no door star RIC 200

And, only one of a Helmeted CI:


RI Constantine I Folles 306-337 CE Captives VOTA Banner

 

It's interesting to me that this coin was sold in a lot by CNG. There was no mention of anything special...it was listed as just a Constantine coin in the group. Their lack of interest in LRB's was my gain, though. Note that the orientation in the photo was not even important.