Mars Attacks

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by maridvnvm, Jul 8, 2016.

  1. maridvnvm

    maridvnvm Well-Known Member

    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).

    [​IMG]

    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;

    [​IMG]

    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)

    [​IMG]

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

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

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

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    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...

    RR Anon AE Litra 241-235 BC Mars Beardless Horse Head Cr 25-3 S 594 O-R.jpg
    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

    RR Anon AE Litra 230-226 BC Mars Club Galloping Horse Cr 27-2 S 596 O-R.jpg
    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

    RR AR Didrachm 280-275 Mars-Horse FIRST.JPG
    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.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2016
  5. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    Very nice Martin,

    Hadrian Denarius Roma 121 AD Mars advancing image.jpeg
     
  6. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    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.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  7. Okidoki

    Okidoki Well-Known Member

    image.jpeg 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.


     
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  8. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

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

    maridvnvm Well-Known Member

    Eric. That Hadrian is outstanding.
     
    Okidoki likes this.
  10. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Great coins, the vespasian portrait is much more interesting looking than the norm.
     
  11. Markus1959

    Markus1959 Well-Known Member

  12. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Lovely examples Martin!

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

    V39.jpg

    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.
     
  13. Volodya

    Volodya Junior Member

    A few more Martians:

    Phil (50).JPG
    Phil (57).JPG
    Phil (100).JPG
    Phil (112).JPG
     
  14. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    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"...
     
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  15. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    I call dibs first, you stay in your roman republic lagoon like a good lad!:drowning:
     
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  16. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

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

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    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.
     
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  18. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

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

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

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

    icerain Mastir spellyr

    Good looking Mars coins, don't have any but I guess its never too late to add one to the collection.
     
  21. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins

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