My Favorite Martian

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Roman Collector, May 7, 2022.

  1. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    My new favorite Mars coin! I acquired it just today!

    Gordian III MARS PROPVGNAT S C sestertius.jpg
    Gordian III, AD 238-244.
    Roman orichalcum sestertius, 22.88 g, 30.7 mm, 1 h.
    Rome, 6th officina. 13th emission, January-February AD 244.
    Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
    Rev: MARS PROPVGNAT SC, Mars advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and shield on left arm.
    Refs: RIC 332a; Cohen 157; RCV 8718; Hunter 148; Banti 52.

    Let's see your favorite Mars coins, Gordian III sestertii, or anything you feel is relevant!
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2022
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  3. AncientJoe

    AncientJoe Well-Known Member

    I normally avoid looking back after deciding to sell a coin but I regretted trimming this Vindex denarius (which I sold because of its slightly poor strike and centering). Thankfully, a dealer bought it for stock and I was able to buy it back:

    Vindex.jpg

    Denarius, Gaul, March-May 68 AD, AR 3.61 g. MARS – VLTOR Helmeted and draped bust of Mars r. Rev. Aquila between two standards, altar to r.; in field, P – R and in exergue, [SI]GNA. C Galba 406. BMC Galba 39. Martin 60. RIC 51. CBN 18.
    Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Struck on unusually fine
    metal and with a wonderful iridescent tone. Extremely fine

    Ex Antiqua sale XII, 2003, 134.

    This issue is related to the effort of Vindex to displace Nero in 68. Vindex is said to have amassed a following of 100,000 soldiers. The type here, as is common during the civil war, is a recreation of an earlier denarius of Augustus using the Mars Ultor motif.
     
  4. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    R.C., Your sestertius is a handsome coin, good strike, even wear, & nice patina :happy:. Pictured below is my favorite coin depicting Mars. The stance on my coin is similar to your Mars, however, he's nearly nude :smuggrin:.

    Constantine I, RIC VI, p. 218, 775-8.jpg
    Constantine I, AD 307-337 (struck AD 307/8). Trier Mint, 1st Officina. Billon Nummus: 6.65 gm, 26 mm, 6 h. Ex Spink 169, July 15, 2004.
     
  5. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    A beautiful coin!

    Here are some of my own favorite Martians (I'm old enough to remember that show!). I've posted all of them multiple times before, but I'm shameless! I think that my Mars Ultor coin of Severus Alexander actually looks more like your Mars Propugnatori than my own coin of the latter, issued by Hostilian, on which Mars looks like he's running rather than merely advancing. And appears to have a huge mustache, although I doubt that was intended!

    Mars Ultor:

    Severus Alexander AR Denarius 232 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate and draped bust right, seen from front, IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG/ Rev. Mars Ultor (“Mars the Avenger”) advancing right in military dress, holding transverse, spear and shield, cape flying behind, MARS VLTOR. RIC IV-2 246, RSC III 161a (ill.), Sear RCV II 7882 (ill.), BMCRE 831. 20 mm., 2.91 g.

    [​IMG]

    Marti Propugnatori:

    Hostilian Caesar (son of Trajan Decius), AR Antoninianus, 251 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C / Rev. Mars running right, holding spear in right hand and shield in left, MARTI PROPVGNATORI (Mars the Defender). RIC IV-3 177b, RSC IV 15, Sear RCV III 9556 (ill.). 22 mm., 3.65 g.

    [​IMG]

    Also:

    Chubby Mars:

    Roman Republic, Q. Thermus M.f., AR Denarius 103 BCE. Obv. Head of Mars left with crested, plumed helmet/ Rev. Roman soldier advancing right, fighting with uplifted sword a barbarian soldier before him, while protecting with shield a fallen comrade at his feet, Q THERM.MF. in exergue (THE and MF in monograms). RSC I Minucia [Q. Minucius Rufus] 19 (ill.), Crawford 319/1, Sear RCV I 198 (ill.), BMCRR Italy 653. 19.4 mm., 3.97 g.

    [​IMG]

    Young Mars:

    Roman Republic, Publius Fonteius P.f. Capito, AR Denarius 55 BCE [Harlan: 54 BCE], Rome mint. Obv. Helmeted and draped bust of Mars with slight beard, right, with trophy over far shoulder, P•FONTEIVS•P•F•CAPITO•III•VIR counter-clockwise around / Rev. Helmeted and caped Roman soldier on horseback galloping right, thrusting his spear down at helmeted Gallic warrior crouching beneath horse, holding his shield up with left hand to try to fend off horse, and thrusting sword with his right hand at unarmed captive to left; the captive’s Gallic helmet [and shield, off flan] sailing off to lower right; MN•FONT•TR•MIL clockwise above. Crawford 429/1, RSC I Fonteia 17, Sear RCV I 392 (ill.), Sydenham 900, Harlan RRM II Ch, 22 at pp. 174-175 [Harlan, Michael, Roman Republican Moneyers and Their Coins 63 BCE-49 BCE (2nd Revised Edition 2015)]. 17.8 mm., 3.97 g. (Purchased from Zuzim Inc., Brooklyn, NY, Aug. 2020. Ex: Roma Numismatics, E-Sale 54, Feb. 28, 2019, Lot 558 [see https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5704785]; Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 100, May 29, 2017, Lot 329 [see https://www.biddr.com/auctions/nac/browse?a=131&l=114088]; Ex: Gerhard Hirsch Auction 168, Nov. 22-24, 1990, Munich, Lot 434. Formerly in NGC slab, Cert. No. 4629554-001, Graded Ch. AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface 4/5.) [Footnote omitted.]
    [​IMG]

    Naked Mars:

    Trajan AR Denarius, ca. AD 114, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate & draped bust right, IMP TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P / Rev. Mars, helmeted, naked but for cloak behind, advancing right, holding transverse spear, pointing up to right, with right hand and trophy over left shoulder with left hand, COS VI P P S P Q R. RIC II Trajan 299, RSC II Trajan 103, BMCRE III Trajan 516. Purchased Jan. 6, 2022 from Herakles Numismatics at NYINC 2022. 20 mm., 3.41 g.

    [​IMG]

    And it's always a good time to post my other Mars Ultor -- a cast bronze figurine, 2nd-3rd Century AD, based on the statue at Rome. Bearded face, military garb, crested helmet, cuirass, greaves, etc. Spear and sword lost in antiquity. Height: 60 mm. (2 3/8"). Ex: CNG, Sale 75, Lot 1514, May 23, 2007.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    That's a lovely looking Sestertius @Roman Collector .
    My favourite Mars is still this one..
    sev4.jpg
    Severus Alexander. 222-235 AD. AR Denarius (2.89 gm, 20mm). Rome mint. Struck 228 AD.
    Obv.: IMP SEV ALE-XAND AVG, laureate head right.
    Rev.: PM TRPVII COSII PP , Mars standing right, holding shield and spear.
    RIC IV 83; BMCRE 503; RSC 337. aEF.
     
  7. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Nice Gordian / Mars sestertius, RC. I thought I had one just like it, but mine has a longer reverse legend:

    upload_2022-5-7_19-5-18.jpeg
    Gordian III Æ Sestertius
    (240-244 A.D.)
    Rome Mint
    (6th Officina; 12th Emission)

    [IMP] GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, S C , Mars advancing right, holding shield and spear.
    RIC 333; Cohen 161.
    (13.37 grams / 26 mm)
    eBay Nov. 2019
     
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  8. nerosmyfavorite68

    nerosmyfavorite68 Well-Known Member

    The new Gordian is delightful!

    My coins aren't organized by their reverses. Im sure I have a Mars somewhere.

    I've trotted this one out several times but it's still my favorite Gordian:
    Gordian III Sestertius glossy Green patina RIC 298a.JPG
    RIC 298a.

    I've returned to a favorite niche of mine; collecting by patina, where the patina matters more than the coin itself.

    4dsKi3F6zC3re9bN9yE28DNwY7xLjJ.jpg
    Gordian III (238-244). Æ As (23mm, 8.31g, 12h). Rome, 240-3. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Sol standing l., raising hand and holding globe. RIC IV 297b.
     
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  9. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Nice pick-up!

    The only coin photographed so far with Mars is the recently posted denarius of L Julius Caesar, 103 BC, Crawford 320-1.

    L Julius Caesar Denarius, 103 BC.
    CAESAR Head of Mars left in crested helmet / Venus Genettris with scepter, in chariot drawn by two Cupids left, lyre in field, L IVLI L F.

    3.84 grams

    D-Camera Roman Rep L. Julius L.f. Caesar, Rome, 103 BC AR Den Craw 320-1 3.84g Sal 4-10-22.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2022
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  10. LukeGob

    LukeGob Well-Known Member

    Very nice Sev. Alex; my favorite type of his. Lil bit jealous
     
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  11. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I know no one cares but I rather suspect that some of my Septimius Severus Easter denarii are as rare as any Mars coins including the ones that everyone wants. Rarity means nothing. Demand, more.

    Alexandria:
    rf6200bb2099.jpg
    Alexandria style unofficial:
    rf6400bb1067.jpg

    'Emesa':
    rg3420bb1811.jpg

    'Emesa'?
    rg3500bb1660.jpg

    Laodicea (common one):
    rh3240bb1716.jpg
     
  12. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

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  13. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    What a beauty:woot::woot:
    Now, where have I seen her before?;)
    Chocolate Patina, excellent portrait and then an EXCELLENT Mars reverse:singing:
    Wonderful coin from a great seller. Now I'm kicking myself for not buying the sister coin:depressed:
    Though, I do have a pretty stellar Severus Alexander Martian:blackalien: Though not as sweet as yours:cigar::
    Screenshot_20211126-124654_PicCollage-removebg-preview.png
     
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  14. Alegandron

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

    MARS

    [​IMG]
    Larinum, Frentani (Italia)
    210-175 BCE
    AE Quincunx
    22mm 9.8g
    Mars corinthian helmet-
    Galloping Horseman spear shield thunderbolt 5 pellets
    NH Italy 625 BMC 2
     
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  15. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    ANONYMOUS_ROMAN_REPUBLICAN_3.jpg
    ANONYMOUS ROMAN REPUBLIC
    AR Didrachm
    OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Mars left, oak-sprig behind
    REVERSE: ROMANO on tablet below head of bridled horse right, ear of wheat behind
    Struck at Metapontum, 280-276 BC
    19 mm, 6.55g
    Cr13/1, Syd 1
     
  16. ambr0zie

    ambr0zie Dacian Taraboste

    It appears I only have 2 Mars reverses in my collection
    A proud Mars
    upload_2022-5-8_13-6-18.png

    Marcus Aurelius AD 161-180 AR Denarius 175-176
    M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM, head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right
    TR P XXX IMP VIII COS III, Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak flying behind, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy, sloped over left shoulder, in left hand
    RIC 349

    And a Tacitus, the last emperor I was able to add in my collection
    upload_2022-5-8_13-8-7.png


    Tacitus AD 275-276. Ticinum
    Antoninianus Æ silvered
    24 mm, 2,86 g
    IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, bust of Tacitus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right or bust of Tacitus, radiate, cuirassed, right / MARTI PACIF, Mars, walking left, holding olive-branch in right hand and spear and shield in left hand
    RIC V Tacitus 145
     
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  17. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Q. Minucius M.f Termus Ar Denarius 103 BC Obv Helmeted head of a Beardless Mars left. Rv. Roman soldier left in combat with an adversary in an attempt to protect a wounded comrade at his feet. Cr. 319/1 RBW 1174 3.78 grms 18 mm Photo by W. Hansen 319-e.jpg
     
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  18. Alegandron

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

    Litra
    [​IMG]
    Roman Republic
    Anon
    AE Litra
    241-235 BCE
    Mars Beardless
    Horse Head
    Craw 25-3 Sear 594
     
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  19. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

  20. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    ....What an interesting and unique way of collecting!....Very nice!
     
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  21. Dafydd

    Dafydd Supporter! Supporter

    This one of my Mars advancing.
    upload_2022-5-8_17-51-18.png
    277 AD. Lugdunum mint. Obv: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG legend with radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: MARS VICTOR legend with Mars advancing right carrying trophy and spear; II in exergue. RIC 84; Sear 11992.3.47 grams

    It is an ambition of mine to visit the museum at Lugdunum (Lyon) it really looks interesting cut into a mountain face.
     
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