This coin is where a couple of my background collecting themes collide. Alexandrian imperials and Mars reverses. I have missed out on a few of these over the years but this time managed to get one. Galerius - Follis Obv:– IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Laureate head right (divergent ties) Rev:– VIRTVS EXERCITVS, Mars advancing right, in military dress, holding transverse spear, shield and trophy. Minted in Alexandria (X | S / K // ALE). A.D. 308-310 Reference:– RIC VI Alexandria 111a (S) 25mm, 6.19g, 12h
The reverse type was issued across multiple issues and across a variety of mints. Here is an earlier one (it looks like my recollection of not already having one of the type is faulty!) though this one is more standing than advancing.... Cyzicus Also Maximinus II Daia from Cyzicus did a nude variety
That's a really handsome example, Martin. With those field marks, would it not be RIC VI Alexandria 82 instead, though? I have one from Alexandria, but a Maximinus II. MAXIMINUS II AE Follis. 6.33g, 24.7mm. Alexandria mint, AD 308. RIC VI Alexandria 77. O: GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES, laureate head right. R: VIRTVS EX-ERCITVS, Virtus in military dress advancing right, holding transverse spear and trophy over shoulder; P in left field, Δ over R in right field, ALE in exergue. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection (1853-1923)
@zumbly I must admit that I was lazy and copied the dealer attribution without checking. Looks like you are right. @dougsmit just for you - a double die match to your first example?
How can you tell whether the reverse is depicting Mars or Virtus? Is Mars usually portrayed nude and Virtus in military dress? I'm just going by what is listed in RIC with the two coins below. Both coins are Constantine I. Ticinum mint, A.D. 306 RIC 75 Obv: CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES Rev: VIRTVS AV-GG ET CAESS NN - Helmeted Mars, advancing right, with transverse spear and holding trophy over shoulder ST in exergue; [dot] in left field 27mm, 10.6 g. Nicomedia mint, A.D. 311 RIC 70, var. (listed in RIC for Licinius and Maximinus, but not for Constantine; should be RIC 70c) Obv: IMP C FA VAL CONSTANTINVS P F AVG Rev: VIRTVTI E-XERCITVS - Virtus, in military dress, advancing right with spear and shield SMN in exergue, A in right field 23 mm, 4.7 g.
Virtus is female. She will always be dressed but will expose her right breast. In this case it would appear to be Mars in military attire.
