I have a liking of Mars coins and am always on the lookout for them. This one is Gallienus but has the scarcer left facing bust. Antoninianus Obv:–GALLIENVS P F AVG, Radiate head left Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars advancing right, holding shield and spear Minted in Antioch/Asian mint. Palm branch in exe. Reference:–RIC 649, Goebl 1632a
Nice coin - I have always been fascinated by the coins of Gallienus - such a wide variety, and it is getting to the end in terms of distinctive provincial coins.
Workmanship varies a lot on Gallienus. The Asian late period coins with the palm in exergue tend to be well struck on good flans with smooth edges --- in other words nothing like the garbage some other later period mints produced. Left certainly is a bonus. I'll offer a trophy captive palm bearing coin but it has the common right facing portrait and a lefty with lion that could have been so much nicer had the cutter not tried to set a record for making every part of the design small. Gallienus Asian mint Trophy and captives PAX FVNDATA with nice palm Gallienus Asian mint Lion PM TRP XIII CVI PP with tiny palm Notice the left bust drapery and shoulders really seem awkward.
Nice coins everyone. I always enjoy a Gallienus thread. I don't have Mars from this emperor, but I recently came across a VERY nice Fortuna Redux...
In a way they are one and the same. Mars a God, Virtus an allegory (which can be depicted as Mars or many others depending on the intent). Greek mythology is difficult as it is, but Roman even more so!
Here's a left bust of Gallienus from antioch, thus bearing the branch at exergue on reverse, which is of the she wolf suckling twins type Gallienus, Antoninianus Antioch mint, AD 265-266 GALLIENVS AVG radiate head left AETERNITAS AVG she wolf standing right, suckling twins Romulus and Remus. Branch at exergue 3,9 gr, 20 mm Ref : RIC V-1 # 628, Göbl # 1628a And below is another, more common type, from Antioch too, but a right bust and no branch to show Gallienus, Antoninianus Antioch mint, AD 265 GALLIENVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right seen from front VENRI (sic) VICTRICI, Venus standing left, holding helmet shield and spear 3,30 gr Ref : RCV #10370 var, Cohen #1021 var, Göbl #1653g Q
Nice ... sweet Gallienus examples, fellas ... Ummm well, if all of Gallienus' examples are welcome, then I'm gonna also add my two favourites to the thread (yah, you probably knew that they were comin' sooner ot later, eh?) Gallienus AE Tetradrachm (Alexandria) Gallienus AE 11 Assarion (Pamphylia, Side)
