This summer, Earthlings have a new big date with Mars: three exploration missions will fly to the red planet, the ultimate frontier for humanity which fuels the hope, more and more credible, of to detect signs of a past life there, and, in the future, to set foot there. The cycle of celestial mechanics offers only one window of fire every 26 months, the distance between Mars and Earth being at this period shorter than usual, which makes the journey easier (34 million miles , about six months of travel !) Three countries are in the starting blocks. The United Arab Emirates will open the ball on July 15th by sending the first interplanetary Arab space probe in history, Al-Amal (Hope), to study the atmosphere of the planet. China will follow, which will also make its Martian baptism with Tianwen (Questions to Heaven), by sending a probe and a small remote-controlled robot, between July 20th and 25th. The most ambitious, the American Mars 2020, will set off on July 30 to land a vehicle designed to explore the surface of the planet, the “rover” Perseverance, marking the start of a pharaonic program of never before collected from 'samples, with a view to their return to Earth. A fourth escape route, Russian-European, was planned: ExoMars and its drilling robot, but it had to be postponed to 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since the 2000s and the discovery that liquid water had flowed on the surface, the attraction has increased, and Mars has become the priority of space exploration. Back on earth, for collectors like you and me, Mars makes us think about the Roman god of war, doesn't it ? Capitolini Museum, Rome. Even if he was viewed mostly as a destructive and destabilizing force, Mars symbolized military power as a way to secure peace, and was in fact a father (pater) of the Roman people. He was also known as the father of Romulus and Remus, had a love affair with Venus and was the son of Jupiter and Juno. He had the privilege to have a planet named in his honour, the red planet, an association made because of its red color, which suggests blood. Now it's time to show off : please post your favorite coins depicting the god of war, Mars. Numerian MARS VICTOR Ric 386a Ex D.Smith Tetricus Mars with spear & shield Ric 148 Postumus Mars nude but Paludamentum Ric 93 Ex Forvm
My favorite Martian: My favorite Mars: Trajan, AD 98-117 Roman AR denarius; 2.95 gm, 20 mm Rome, AD 114-117 Obv: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC, laureate and draped bust, right Rev: P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Mars walking right with spear and trophy Refs: RIC 337; BMCRE 536-40; Cohen 270; RCV --; Woytek 520v; Strack 230; BN 819.
My favorite Martian: My favorite coin with Mars on the reverse: Caracalla Denarius 206 AD Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right Reverse: PONTIF TRP VIIII COS II, Mars in military dress standing left leaning on shield holding reversed spear RIC 83
Oh, HAIL yes! Loved that show! My Mars rock is perhaps 4.6 Billion years old. MARS RR Anon Ca 240 BCE AR Heavy Quinarius Drachm 16mm 3.0g Rome Helmet Hd Mars r - Horse’s hd sickle Cr 25-2 Syd 25 RSC 34a R
And.. excellent Mars update, @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix ! Great coins, and pics are always fun! Thanks for opening the Thread. Just read all about those missions yesterday.
Gordian III. AD 238-244. Interesting Reverse Inscription in the Accusative Case. AR Antoninianus (4.11 gm). Struck 240-244 AD. Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars walking right, holding transverse spear and shield. Reference: RIC IV 147; Hunter 59; RSC 160; Sear (1988) 2442; Sear 8624. Like Elon Musk, I plan to die on Mars...
Trajan Denarius. 108 AD. RIC 114 IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP, laureate head right / COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC, Mars walking left carrying Victory and trophy. Trajan Denarius. RIC 340 IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM DAC PARTHICO, laureate draped bust right / PM TRP COS VI PP SPQR, Mars walking right, holding transverse spear and trophy.
Here's Mars about to father a race of Martians. 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.
For those who want to join the same mission to the Red planet as yours Brian: https://www.meteorites-for-sale.com/nwa-6963-meteorite-/6963-37.html
Very interesting lineup. Imagine If we all came together what could be accomplished, I believe I'm dreaming though... Thanks for the post.
Elon Musk is my favorite.... he is teaming up with NASA to launch the Mars mission flying by Venus for the boost then on to Mars to open Tesla Gigacity...
Here's my favourite...... 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.
Hi All, Before he was Mars, he was Ares. In honor of the two moons of Mars (Phobos and Deimos) I have two coins to show: - Broucheion
There was another movie about the red planet... "Mission to Mars". It was my favorite. Anyway, thanks to all for the great info.