Mars Close Approach to Earth

On Oct 6th, at 14 hrs UTC Mars will be at its closest approach to the earth and will also be at its brightest.

https://mars.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/night-sky/close-approach/

So, go out at some point this week and take a look at the bright orange point of light in the eastern evening sky.



Please share your coins featuring Mars!


Vespasian
Æ Sestertius, 25.68g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: MARS VICTOR; S C in field; Mars, armoured, adv. l., with Victory and trophy
RIC 238 (C). BMC 552. BNC 509.
Ex CNG E443, 1 May 2019, lot 530.

 

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Lovely sestertius, @David Atherton !

These two issues of Trebonianus Gallus of Antioch depict Mars in the complimentary roles of defender and bringer of peace. As defender (propugnator), he is in full battle gear, carrying a spear and shield, his paludamentum trailing behind him, ready to take on the enemy. As bearer of peace (Pacifer), he remains in full battle gear, but offers a branch of peace while tilting his spear away from the enemy.


Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.58 g, 20.7 mm, 5 h.
Antioch, AD 251.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars advancing right, carrying transverse spear and shield.
Refs: RIC 84; RSC 70; RCV 9637; Hunter 59.
Notes: The reverse inscription is unusually in the accusative case, and probably denotes the "motion toward" aspect of the case: "toward Mars the defender." Virtually all coins of this reverse have no officina marks but there are a few rare coins with officina ../.. (second officina).


Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253.
Roman AR antoninianus, 3.96 g, 20.5 mm, 12 h.
Antioch, AD 253.
Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: MARTI PACIFERO, Mars advancing left, holding olive branch and spear.
Refs: RIC 85; RSC 72; RCV --; Cunetio 412; Eauze 1038.
Notes: The reverse inscription is here in the dative case, likely a dative of advantage: "for Mars the bearer of peace." Only 4 examples in the Cunetio hoard; 1 example in the Eauze hoard; however, multiple examples in the Dorchester hoard.

 

cool...


Gordian III AR Antoninianus. Rome. 243-244 AD.
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, his radiate and cuirassed bust right / MARS PROPVG, Mars advancing right, holding shield & spear. RIC IV 145, RSC 155. 22.91mm 4.1g

 

T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS: Head of Titus
COS VI: Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak around the waist, standing left, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy over the left shoulder in left.
A.D. 77 - A.D. 78

 

sestertius of Marcus Aurelius with Mars reverse.



sestertius of Alexander Severus with Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) reverse.



Antoninianus of Claudius Gothicus with Mars Ultor reverse...

 

Nice coin David. The Temple of Mars.
Augustus denarius 18 BC, Spanish mint (Colonia Partica?) Denarius AR 17mm., 3,48g.
CAESAR AVGVSTO, laureate head right / S P -Q R, temple of Mars Ultor: round-domed, tetrastyle temple set on podium of three steps, within which is a chariot right, carrying an aquila and miniature galloping horses.

 

MARS - PRE-Denarius Reform


Roman Republic
Anon AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm
310-300 BCE
20mm 7.28g
Mars-
Horse Romano
FIRST Silver coin of Rome



Roman Republic
Anon
Ca 240 BCE
AAR Heavy Quinarius Drachm
16mm 3.0g
Rome mint
Helmet Hd Mars r -
Horse’s hd sickle
Cr 25-2 Syd 25 RSC 34a
Rare

 

@David Atherton, thank you for the reminder about Mars, the artist formerly known as the planet. I remember 2003, the last time it was like that. ..Sorry, no coins.

 

Elagabal :



Severus Alexander :



Constantine the Great :


Q

 

WOW guys, Very Very Cool coins ! Where can I get one ??

 

That sestertius of Marcus Aurelius is breathtaking ! Is that the coin I saw in CNG 115 ?

 

Here's my favorite coin depicting Mars. On it he is, quite literally, approaching Earth (Rhea).


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

 

Two from my Constantine I collection:

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; • in left field
27mm, 10.6 g.


Treveri (Trier) mint, A.D. 310-313 (313-315?)
RIC 884
Obv: CONSTANTINVS P F AVG
Rev: MARTI CONSERVATORI - Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Mars, right
(No mint mark)
19 mm, 2.9 g.

Note: Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC), volume VII, does not include this reverse type--or the bust of Sol reverse--in the issue of coins minted between A.D. 313 and 315, yet the weight of this coin suggests that it was probably struck during this later period. See footnote 2 on page 150 of RIC, vol.VII.

 

Probus

Obv:– IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy; at foot, captive.
Minted in Lugdunum (unmarked) Emission 7 Officina -. Summer A.D. 281
Reference(s) – RIC 35 Bust Type F (Scarce)

From aureus reverse dies. Same reverse die as aureus - Bastien 301

Weight 4.12g. 22.42mm. 0 degrees

 

Oh, how appropriate!

 

MARS


Roman Republic
L Rustius 76 BCE AR Denarius 19mm 3.6g Mars SC Rome - Ram L RVSTI Cr 389-1 Sear 320



Roman Republic
Anon AE Litra 230-226 BCE Mars Club Galloping Horse Cr 27-2 S 596

 

My Mars rock is perhaps 4.6 Billion years old.

 

Thank you , and yes it is the coin from CNG auction 115. I fell in love with the orange patina, and it does look just like the photo.

 

I saw Mars this morning dangling in the west at about 40 degrees at 5:45 AM. Didn't take out the scope but I will tonight - 6" refractor/10" Dobsonian reflector.