Mars Attacks

As some of you will know. I have a collection of Mars related coins. Here are three coins on the subject that have arrived this week that somewhat show how diverse these can be.

The first is a fairly common Vespasian denarius. What interests me about this typeis that Mars carries an aquila rather than the trophy that is the norm of so many Mars types.

Vespasian Denarius

Obv:- IMP CAESAR VESPASIANS AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:- COS ITER TR POT, Mars walking right, carrying spear and aquila
Minted in Rome. A.D. 70 (January to June and maybe later?)
Reference:- RIC II (New) 23 (Rated C).



The second is a provincial from Alexandria from almost 200 years later. Here he is named Ares rather than Mars. This coin could be quite pleasing if I ever have the guts to have a go at cleaning it. It has lots of surface adhesions.

Claudius II Gothicus - Billon tetradrachm

Obv:– AVT K KLAUDIOC CEB, Laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– None, Helmeted and cuirassed Ares (Mars) standing left, rests on spear and holds sword in sheath with chlamys
Minted in Alexandria (L | B). A.D. 268/269
Reference(s) – Milne 4226. Emmett 3871(2). Curtis 1661. BMC 2311. SNG Cop 839, Kampmann 104.20;



The third comes from another 40 or so years later. I hadnt been able to obtain a Mars type of Licinius before.

Licinius I - Follis

Obv:– IMP LICINIVS P F AVG, laureate head right
Rev:– MARTI CON-SERVATORI, Mars, helmeted, in military dress, cloak over right shoulder, standing right, holding upright spear, point downwards, resting left hand on shield
Minted in Ticinum (* | _ // ST). A.D. 314-315
Reference(s) – RIC VII Ticinum 13 (Rated R3)



Three very different depictions of Mars. Share some of yours.

 

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I have no coins of Mars but I enjoyed seeing yours.

 

Love those coins Martin! Great topic, and what a nice collecting focus.

I have several Mars, but I will stay on the Pre-Denarius Republic side of the playing field...


Roman Republic
Anonymous issue AE Litra 241-235 BC
Helmeted bust of Mars, Beardless
Horse Head, sickle behind, ROMA below
Crawford 25/3; Sear 594


Roman Republic
Anonymous issue
AE Litra 230-226 BC
Helmeted, beardless bust of Mars, club behind
Club above Galloping Horse, ROMA below
Crawford 27/2; Sear 596


Roman Republic
Anonymous, 280-275 BCE
Didrachm (Silver, 20mm, 7.28 g 11)
Uncertain mint (Neapolis?)
OBV: Helmeted head of bearded Mars to left; oak spray to right
REV: Horse’s head right, wearing bridle, on base inscribed ROMANO; to left, stalk of grain.
REF: Sear 22; Crawford 13/1; HN III 266. Sydenham 1
Comment: First AR Coin minted by Rome. Possibly minted in 312 BCE to build the Via Appia through Campania.

 

Very nice Martin,

Hadrian Denarius Roma 121 AD Mars advancing

 

I have a few grotty Mars coins. My best one is Tacitus (we don't see him here often) but the obverse is not great.

@maridvnvm my Soup would get rid of the green stuff but I don't think it is bad enough.

 

255 Hadrian Denarius Roma 134-38 AD Mars standing

Rev. MAR-TI ( Mar[ti]s Ultor = Mars the Avenger)
Mars standing left holding inverted spear and shield.

 

Love that smile on Licinius. And I totally love the Vespasian. My kind of coin for sure.

 

Eric. That Hadrian is outstanding.

 

Great coins, the vespasian portrait is much more interesting looking than the norm.

 

Lovely examples Martin!

If I may, here is another Vespasian Mars I acquired, formerly from your collection. Quite rare actually.



Vespasian
AR Denarius
Rome mint, 71 AD
RIC 39 (R), BMC 59A, RSC 564
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: TRI POT II COS III P P; Mars adv. r., with spear and aquila
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, June 2012. Ex Maridvnvm Collection.

 

A few more Martians:

 

You know, that is one of the "softer" looks that I have ever seen of a Vespasian bust. Usually, I am reminded that he and Titus look like they came off the Rugby pitch or the Football field! They always looked like you should not tangle with them.

Different Vespasian... I would definitely want that in my collection, just for its "uniqueness"...

 

I call dibs first, you stay in your roman republic lagoon like a good lad!

 

Unusually nice Vespasian Martin, great detail in the eye. I would be happy if it were in my collection.

 

It's of interest to note that Vespasian officially became emperor at Rome in late December 69. He did not arrive there from Alexandria until October of 70! The die engraves probably had no clue what he looked like. A lot of his early denarii struck during his absence have portraits that in no way resemble the 'rugby player' we have come to know.

 

And I just sent a PM to you on that, lol.

 

I suspected as such, and did not say it. Thanks for that info.

 

Good looking Mars coins, don't have any but I guess its never too late to add one to the collection.

 

Corrupted minds think alike.......my first thought too. Classic 'B', 'C', (BCE?) movie.........