To go along with the Postumus - PACATOR ORBIS that I bought I was offered some coins of Marius. I bought three (YES - THREE!). I had never seen a coin of Marius in the flesh let alone handled or owned one. Marius was an officier (supposedly originally a blacksmith by trade) in the army of Postumus when the army revolted in Moguntiacum (modern day Mainz) and killed Postumus. Some how Marius was elected emperor and moved to Trier. According to tradition he didn't last more than a few days but in likelihood be lasted at least a couple of months before being killed by a sword of his own manufacture. This first coin is the weakest of the three though in itself it is nice enough. Marius Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– VICTO[RI]A AVG, Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm frond. Minted in Trier Reference– RIC 17. Flan chipped, probably during manufacture. Found in Poundbury, Dorset in 1986 2.30 g. 20.74 mm. 0 degrees This second coin betters it though even if it's just from the quality of the portrait, which I think is very appealing. Marius Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C MARIVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– CONCORD MILIT, Clasped hands. Minted in Cologne Reference– RIC 6; Hunter 3; Schulzki 1b; Elmer 633. Found in Poundbury, Dorset in 1986 3.41 g. 19.99 mm. 180 degrees This third coin is probably the best of the three despite the fact that the reverse die is worn but simply because it is virtually fully silvered. Marius Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm. Minted in Cologne Reference– RIC 18. C. 20. Elmer 636. AGK 6 a. Found in Poundbury, Dorset in 1986 2.62 g. 21.13 mm. 180 degrees So from having no coins of Marius I think I have a Marius collection.... Martin
WOW, Martin, Nice play. Congrats, great Marius coins. And, all three different versions. Very cool. I just have one as a placeholder in my Roman Emperors collection. Marcus Aurelius Marius 269 CE Flat strike on one side, but the bust is superb, and his name is fully spelled out. Concordia , Hands clasping rev. was emperor of the Gallic Empire in 269 following the assassination of Postumus. reign lasted no more than two or three months before Postumus’ praetorian prefect Victorinus had Marius killed in the middle of 269, most likely at Augusta Treverorum Ex: @John Anthony
It be amaizin what em dugs up doun en Dooorsit.... Lovely coins Martin and agree with Orfew the clasped hands reverse is a beaut! I only have one the same type as your first coin...Paul MARIUS. Romano-Gallic Emperor, 269 AD. Obverse..IMP CM AVR MARIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Reverse..VICTORIA AVG, Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm. RIC#17...Mint Trier?
Great coins and story. I agree that it would be hard to issue several different coins if he lasted only a day or two.
I only have one Marius and no intent to have more unless, like this one, the seller listed it as a Claudius II. I would have told the guy but he had just told me that he didn't usually do ancients and had just got a good deal buying the collection from a widow.
not a particularly "pretty" example, but it's another reverse type: Marius, Billon Antoninianus Mint of Cologne, 268 AD. 20mm, 2.37g, 7h. Obv: IMP C MARIVS P F AVG radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Marius right Rx: SAEC FELICITAS Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopia RIC V, ii 10; SR 11120; VM 3
Nice examples! I also only have one Marius currently, although sometimes I wonder if I ought to have just built it into a collection Current example Ones I no longer own The "poor man's" Marius, i.e. Victorinus before he had an portrait made
I haven't seen this reverse type listed yet, so here's mine: Gallic Empire, unidentified mint Obv: IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG Rev: VIRTVS AVG - Soldier with spear, leaning on shield RIC 19 20mm, 3.4g
