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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;maridvnvm, post: 2404902, member: 31620&quot;]I have several sub-collection themes. These are essentially a great excuse for me to buy coins when I haven&#039;t found anything from my primary collecting themes but have the need to buy a coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>It was a coin of Mars that got me into collecting ancients and I have continued to collect Mars coins. One of the benefits of Mars coins for me is that there is a huge amount of scope for continually adding coins. They have been produced over most of the period of the Empire and come with a large variety of types and legends and a variety of mints.</p><p><br /></p><p>Mars is shown as avenging (VLTOR), victorious (VICTORI), and fighting (PROPVGNATORIS) which are all combative aspects of the god but he is also shown as peace-making (PACATORI), preserving (CONERVATORI), and fatherly (PATRI) amongst others illustrating what the duties of the conquerors are.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have just added another couple of MARTI CONSERVATORI coins to my collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>The first is a Constantine the Great from London. I didn&#039;t have a London Mars so that was a great excuse. This one also has a more scarce reverse legend break according to RIC, which seems to be supported by a spot check of other coins of this issue. It&#039;s not really sharp but condition is perfectly acceptable with sufficient details to make out the design of the shield including the handle. The green-brown patina is very pleasing.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Constantine the Great - Follis</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Obv:– IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rev:– MARTI CO-NSERVATORI. Mars helmeted, in military dress, cloak hanging over right shoulder, standing, right, holding reversed spear, left hand leaning on shield</p><p>Minted in London (* | _ // PLN). Late A.D. 312 - May A.D. 313</p><p>Reference:– RIC VI London 251 (Rated S with CON-S, noted rarely occurring with CO-NS.)</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10618/RI_160fv_img.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>My second coin comes from Trier and is another CONSERVATORI type but this time is the smaller half follis. Mars is depicted nude rather than in full military dress on this smaller coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>I haven&#039;t seen one with such a nice reverse before and this one was buried in a mixed lot of soldier with standards coins which of course I had to buy just to get this one. Well that was my excuse for buying even more coins.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Constantine the Great - Half Follis </b></p><p><br /></p><p>Obv:– CONSTANTINVS AVG, Laureate, cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rev:– MARTI CONSERV, Mars helmeted, nude, with spread cloak, standing, right, holding reversed spear, left hand leaning on shield</p><p>Minted in Trier (// PTR). A.D. 310 - 311</p><p>Reference:– RIC VI Trier 897 (S) </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10618/RI_160fw_img.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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