We have another ancient coin that we need help with(rarity & value). It is a Severus Alexander AR Denarius (3.2 g.,19-20 mm.) Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Severus Alexander Denarius. 232 AD. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / MARS VLTOR, Mars walking or striding right, holding spear and shield. RIC 246; Sear 7882; RSC 161; BMC 834-836. Probably would retail for $60-100 Condition is about VF, though this is less important for ancients in general.
Nice coin. In case you are wondering, ULTOR is the Latin word for "avenger". As you can see on your coin, Mars is girded and ready to give somebody a bad day. By the way, don't attempt to clean it. It is attractive just as it is.
In AD 231, the year before your coin was minted, Ardashir I of the Sassanid empire invaded Roman territory in the east and took Mesopotamia. MARS VLTOR, or the god of war , as Rome's avenger, was depicted and honored on many of Alexander's coins. In AD 233 Alexander was successful in driving Ardashir back.
This is why I love this forum. Not only did the three members answer pdoelger's question, but they provided an interesting back story to explain the context of the coin. I have one coins of these, too, but I didn't know the reason for the reverse until just now. Thanks, everyone.
To embellish a bit more - Mars Ultor was created by Augustus as the embodiment of the idea that any defeats suffered by Rome would be avenged swiftly. Specifically, this referred to the assassins of Caesar who were defeated at Philippi, and also the lost standards that were recovered from Parthia and kept in the temple of Mars Ultor - these are visible on a handful of early coins depicting that temple. Like all of Rome's treasures, these were lost when Rome fell to the barbarians.
A type that is close to my heart as this was my first ancient coin . There is an alternate Mars pose with the same legends to look out for too.
Just a few years after Alexander Severus Gordian III struck many Mars' types...238-244 A.D. corresponding to new hostilities with the Persians. Gordian died in Mesopotamia, either by illness, death in battle, or as surmised, he was killed by his new Praetorian Prefect Phillip the Arab...
