Mars Attacks

I know this thread is about Mars, but wow what an interesting portrait of Vespasian!

As for Mars depictions, I have a few but nothing unusual. I'd like to get a denarius with Mars proudly strutting, spear in hand.


Roman Republic
moneyer L. Julius L. f. Caesar, 103 BC
AR denarius, 17mm, 3.9 gm
Obv: Helmeted head of Mars left; CAESAR; ・J above
Rev: Venus Genetrix in chariot left, drawn by two Cupids; lyre to left; ・J above
Ref: Crawford 320/1
ex RBW (supposedly... it's not in the catalogs)


Roman Republic, Ti. Veturius
137 BCE, Rome
AR denarius, 3.85 gm
Obv: Helmeted bust of Mars right
Rev: youth kneeling left, holding pig; two soldiers standing holding spear and touching pig with swords. ROMA above.
Ref: Crawford 234/1, Sydenham 527, RSC Veturia 1


Roman Republic, L. Postumius Albinus
131 BCE
AR denarius, 19 x 21 mm, 3.8 gm
Obv: helmeted head of Roma right; flamen's cap behind
Rev: Mars in quadriga right; L POST (AL)B; ROMA in exergue
Ref: Crawford 252/1

and this one-- an early purchase, which one of these days I'll upgrade:

ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Rustius
74 BCE
AR denarius, 18 mm, 3.7 gm
Obv: helmeted head of Mars right
Rev: ram standing right; L RVSTI in exergue
Ref: Crawford 389/1, Sydenham 782, Rustia 1

 

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I have no Licinius but two Constantines from that same series.


Like yours, the shield is unusual with structure showing out the rear.

Also is an AE1 MARTI PATRI PROPVGNATORI of Trier.


Of course my favorite Mars is the odd style COSII I had to trade to get. The seller had a high price on it but preferred a common Emesa SPQR which I then had in triplicate. It is another case of a coin that only I would want so I'm glad we were able to reach a deal.

 

I like your Marsic Martian!

 

My one and only Mars, featuring what is indisputably one of the top 5 Roman Emperors of all time, Trajan.

 

Like everyone else, I think that Vespasian is great, especially the portrait.

I like Mars' weird feet on this Maximinus Daia.


MAXIMINUS II DAIA, as Filius Augustorum
AE Follis. 6.25g, 26.7mm, Thessalonica mint, 4th officina, AD 309-310, RIC VI 39a (scarce). O: MAXIMINVS FIL AVGG, laureate head right. R: VIRTVTI E-XERVITVS, Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy; star and delta in field, dot SM dot TS dot in exergue.

 

Republic Denarii Mars...

Albinus Bruti 48 BCE Mars Bust - Carnyx


Minincius Thermus 103 BCE Mars Bust


Cornuelius Lentalus 88 BCE Mars Bust


Gellius 138 BCE Mars in Quadriga


Postumius 131 BCE Mars in Quadriga

 

Siscily, Messana -
288-278 BCE
Mamertini
AE Pentonkion
Mars-Eagle


Roman Imperial
Lucius Verus 161-169 BCE
AE24
Mars with Trophy

 

Some more Republic Denarii


Gellius 138 BCE Mars in Quadriga (another)


Lentulus 88 BCE Mars bust


Satrienus 77 BCE Mars bust, She-Wolf!


Veturius 137 BCE Mars bust, Oath Scene... one of my favorite subjects...

 

I guess on this coin he could be called Mars Pater, since he and Rhea Silvia are shown about to start work on the conception of Romulus and Remus.


ANTONINUS PIUS
AE As. 11.34g, 27.8mm. Rome mint, AD 140. RIC III 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.

 

You guys really know how to tempt someone into buying a coin.

@TIF . Can you please stop posting that L. Julius denarius? My bank account and I can't handle it anymore.

 

Anonymous. AV 60 Asses (3.37 gms), ca. 211-208 BC BMC-185; Crawford 44/2; S-3. Helmeted head of Mars facing right; Reverse: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt.



Q. Minucius M.f. Thermius. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.97g, 3h), 103. Helmeted head of Mars to left. Rev. Q.THERM.MF. Roman soldier, on left, holding shield over fallen comrade and attacking barbarian soldier, fighting to left. Bab. (Minucia) 19. Cr. 319/1. Syd. 592.



L. Postumius Albinus. Denarius 131, AR (20mm, 3.97g, 8h). Helmeted head of Roma r.; below chin, Û and behind, apex. Rev. Mars in quadriga r., holding spear, shield and reins in l. hand and trophy in r.; below, L·POST·ALB. In exergue, ROMA. Babelon Postumia 1. Sydenham 472. RBW 1035. Crawford 252/1.

 

Beyond awesome @Carthago Love them all, but the 60 Asses is one of my goals! Beautiful coin. 'Nuff said...

 

Some awesome Mars coins! Zumbly, that Pius coin is amazing!

Mars.


His Greek counterpart.

 

Thanks! It is one of my favorites.

 

Just wanted to thank all the posters. I enjoyed looking at your coins, as well as learning a few things. Maybe I will be an ancients collector in the next life.

 

I'm tempting the postal gods again but here's a Martian I should be receiving soon:

Roman Republic AR Denarius(19.5mm, 3.95g, 8h), Q. Minucius Thermus M.f., moneyer, 103 B.C., Rome mint. Head of Mars left, wearing crested helmet ornamented with plume and annulet / Two warriors fighting, each armed with sword and shield; the one on the left protects a fallen comrade, the other wears horned helmet. Crawford 319/1; Sydenham 592; Babelon Minucia 19.

 

The range of Mars coins here is fabulous. Thanks folks.

Another old thread on various aspects of Mars can be found here:-

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/mars-the-preserver.277823/

 

I started in US Coins almost 50 years ago, got into some Ancients 20 years ago; Never looked back. MUCH better hobby-world to live in. Not worried about what the coin's grade or worth is, rather what history it brings. SO much more satisfaction in the Hobby when you don't have to worry about the "investment" and "Grade numbers". We would be glad to help you join us onto the "Dark Side"

 

you yourself are ancient

 

Yeah, and I get even older TOMORROW!