Trajan and Mars

Even though I already own a fairly good example of this coin, the price was right, so now I own two.

TRAJAN AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate bust right with aegis
REVERSE: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Mars standing front with spear & shield
Struck at Rome, 106-111 AD 3.2g, 18mm
RIC 162, C 378



Mars was the Roman god of war, second only to Jupiter in the Roman pantheon. Although most myths involving the god were borrowed from the Greek god of war Ares, Mars had features uniquely Roman. Considered more level-headed than Ares, Mars was also seen as a more virtuous figure by the Romans. As a protector of Rome and the Roman way of life and as defender of city borders and frontiers, festivals connected to warfare were held in his honor.

Mars was considered the father of Romulus and Remus. According to the story, their mother, the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia, was raped by Mars while she slept. In her dreams she had a vision where she dropped a hairpin to the ground from which sprang twin trees. Over time one of the trees grew so large that it covered the entire world with its shade, an obvious reference to the ultimate success of Romulus and the growth of the Roman Empire.

 

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BTW, here is my other example of this coin:

 

Very nice indeed! Is the second one just a bit crusty, or is it a fouree?

 

Crusty. It's not a fouree.

 

Nice addition. The new one is much better.

 

I agree. The detail on the new coin is superior, and the surfaces much nicer. Nice find!

 

I agree with JA, the new coin is far better in just about everyway.

 

Better condition all round. Better detail and nice silver.
A nice coin.

 

Nice example Bing. A definite upgrade.
Well done.

 

Very nice upgrade jw, the reverse of your new coin looks like Mars is holding up a big Salmon...

 

Only one of the Eng brothers would see a salmon in the place of a shield.

 

I think Mars went fishing with Mercury, but Mercury only got a little trout.

 

Excellent upgrade Bing.

'Cause all the mercury in him killed off all the fish.

 

that's a sweet upgrade indeed bing...nice.

 

I like the Mars on that new coin, Bing. Nice upgrade!

The legend of the conception of Romulus and Remus pops up on an as of Antoninus Pius, part of a series he issued commemorating the founding of Rome.


ANTONINUS PIUS
AE As
11.34g, 27mm
Rome mint, 140 AD
RIC 694a
O: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right.
R: TR POT COS III SC, Mars right, holding spear and shield, descending through the air toward sleeping Rhea Silvia.

 

Is this your coin? Marvelous reverse.

 

Yup, and one of my favourites .

 

I can see why. Wanna trade? I have a couple Constantine era Gloria Exercitvs I might would consider....

 

Wow, that's a very compelling offer... when I start getting more into LRBs I'll keep that in mind .

 

While I agree my new coin is an upgrade, I decided to clean up the older coin just to see how it would turn out. I think much better even though I am still working on a few small spots of crude on the reverse: