The normal female characteristic of Virtus is drapery attached on the l. shoulder only, leaving her r. breast bare. Of course it takes a well engraved and well preserved specimen to show this detail clearly.
I know this is an old
thread, but I knew it existed and therefore didn't want to start a new one.
I am half way through cleaning a reasonable
Claudius II coin. (Tough job as well with rock hard malachite scattered liberally around the place.) Anyway, I believe it is
RIC V-1 Mediolanum with a P in exe, which according to
RIC, (Well Danes sheets actually
), should be
Mars.
However, the figure clearly has 2 breasts showing. Following on from Curtis' description above, if it is a female representation then there should usually be drapery covering one, but there isn't. There is drapery tucked into a belt back and front to protect her modesty, but definitely nothing around the chest, which not to get too graphic, under magnification even has both nipples
still visible. (I think you should be able to see that on my pathetic attempt at taking a snap.)
So who is this, and what gender would you assign it? If it is
Mars he has definitely been using hormone replacement patches!
regards
Mark