There is a buzz going around an e-mail list I'm on about this coin.

[the_Thing ®]

A dealer had just gotten in a batch of ancients from a "source". He was going through them and found this coin. What caught his eye was the inscription on the shield on the obverse. So far, it hasn't been found in any reference material. Here is his e-mail...

 

Just going through all of the coin lots to come in recently and just discovered a very curious AE3 and have attributed it as RIC VII, 44:

 

Constantine I, AE3, 315-316, Lugdunum. CONSTANTINVS AV_G Laureate, cuirassed bust left, spear over right shoulder. SOLI INVIC_TO COMITI Sol standing left, chlamys across left shoulder, raising right hand, globe in left hand. TF | * across fields, PLG in exergue.

 

The curious thing is that Constantine is holding a shield inscribed VOT X | SIC XX

 

I didn't find any mention of this in RIC in the footnotes on shields with legends and am really only familiar with the Probus antoniniani with legend shields. Is this a documented type? And here is the coin..

 

 

 

Since his first e-mail, several well known authorities have responded stating the discovery was "fascinating"

[JamminJ]

Any clue what the "VOT X | SIC XX" on the shield means?

 

-JamminJ

[the_Thing ®]

Not quite yet, I'll see if I can find out. Some people on the e-mail list are now bringing up the possibility that the coin might of been tooled. The flames should start flaring up soon.

[spiny]

Any clue what the "VOT X | SIC XX" on the shield means?

 

-JamminJ

 

I think I read somewhere that the "VOT X" is for ten years as ruler. I could be worong, though.

[spiny]

Guess I should have googled it first... It's more likely a vow to serve another ten years after completing 20 years.

[the_Thing ®]

Spiny, you pretty much got it right....

 

"Basically, it is advertising having ruled for 10 years and hopefully will continue until his 20th anniversary. Sometimes the vota legends are used well in advance of actually happening, as in the AE2 coins of Julian II."

[JamminJ]

Thanks!

 

-JamminJ

[truthteller]

"VOT X | SIC XX"

 

 

Old poker code. VOT X = I see your 10, SIC XX = And I raise you 20

 

 

 

TRUTH

[TJ]

"VOT X | SIC XX"

 

 

Old poker code. VOT X = I see your 10, SIC XX = And I raise you 20

Truth, you know you're the only comic genius around here. But thanks for the nice compliments at the WC. Well, ok, Spiny, Gmarguli, Jammin, Thing, you name it are all pretty damn funny and clever too. Ok, enough lauding.