| Ares or Mars |  |
|
| Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D. |   | On 8 June 218, Elagabalus' Syrian legions defeated the forces of Macrinus. Macrinus fled, but was captured near Chalcedon and later executed in Cappadocia. His son Diadumenian attempted escape to the Parthian court but was captured at Zeugma and also put to death. |
| RS54569. Silver antoninianus, SRCV II 7491, RIC IV 122, Cohen 113, VF, weight 4.471 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 219 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MARS VLTOR, Mars advancing right, helmeted, naked but for cloak flying behind, spear in right, trophy across shoulder in left; $135.00 (€103.95) |
| Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D. |  | Although the Greeks viewed Ares as primarily a destructive and destabilizing force, to the Romans, Mars represented military power as a way to secure peace, he was a guarantor of treaties, and he was a father (pater) of the Roman people. |
| RS59027. Silver denarius, RIC IV 222, RSC III 149, gVF, worn reverse die, weight 3.463 g, maximum diameter 19.2 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 210 - 213 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head right; reverse MARTI PACATORI (Mars the Peacemaker), Mars standing half-right, looking left, helmeted, branch in right, resting left on shield; scarce; $125.00 (€96.25) |
| Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 December 192 A.D. |  | In 184 A.D., the Antonine Wall in Britannia was permanently abandoned. |
| RS56248. Silver denarius, RIC III 71, Cohen 427, VF, weight 3.109 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, c. 184 A.D.; obverse M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P, Mars standing right, spear in right, shield resting on ground in left; $105.00 (€80.85) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D. |  | In 231, Severus Alexander accompanied his mother Julia Mamaea to Syria and campaigns against the Persians. Military command rested in the hands of his generals, but his presence gave additional weight to the empire's policy. The Romans were defeated and withdrew to Syria. After heavy losses on both sides, a truce was signed accepting the status quo. In 233, Alexander celebrated a triumph in Rome to commemorate his "victory." |
| RB57156. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 635, BMCRE 847, VF, scratches, weight 19.580 g, maximum diameter 30.5 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 231 - 235 A.D.; obverse IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate,draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse MARS VLTOR S C, Mars advancing right in military garb, spear transverse in right, shield in left; well centered; $105.00 (€80.85) |
| Tacitus, 25 September 275 - 12 April 276 A.D. |  | In 276, after Tacitus died, his troops made Florian emperor but after only a few weeks they assassinated him. Probus was then proclaimed the new Emperor of Rome. |
| RB60592. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 30, Bastien IX 96, VF, weight 2.982 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 180o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 276 A.D.; obverse IMP CL TACITVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, spear in right and trophy in left across shoulder, B left, * right; large flan, much silvering remaining; $90.00 (€69.30) |
| Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D. |  | In 202, Septimius Severus returned to Rome after a five year absence. Festivals were held to celebrate his six year reign. Severus made changes in the imperial government, giving the Roman army a dominant role, raising pay in the legions and permitting legionaries to marry in order to secure their loyalty. |
| RS60465. Silver denarius, RIC IV 103, RSC III 76, VF, weight 3.153 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, die axis 180o, Laodicea ad Mare mint, 202 A.D.; obverse P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, draped bust right, from behind; reverse MARTI VICTORI, Mars advancing right, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left; scarce; $90.00 (€69.30) |
| Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D. |  | |
| RS51597. Silver denarius, RIC IV 103, RSC III 76, nice VF, weight 3.219 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 0o, Laodicea ad Mare mint, 202 A.D.; obverse P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, draped bust right, from behind; reverse MARTI VICTORI, Mars advancing right, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left; scarce; $85.00 (€65.45) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D. |  | On 13 March 222, Severus Alexander became emperor when he was only 13 years old. His mother, Julia Mamaea, governed the Roman Empire with the help of Domitius Ulpianus and a council composed of 16 senators. This coin was struck shortly after he became emperor. |
| RS56148. Silver denarius, RIC IV 7, RSC III 207, VF, weight 3.894 g, maximum diameter 19.2 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, Mar 222 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M TR P COS P P, Mars standing left, olive branch in right, reversed spear vertical behind in left; $85.00 (€65.45) |
| Amisos, Pontos, c. 100 - 85 B.C. |  | The grooves in this coin are not scratches made in circulation. They are "adjustment marks" made at the mint during manufacture of the flan, prior to striking. |
| GB56855. Bronze AE 20, SNG BM Black Sea 1148, SNG Stancomb 676, SNGvA 64, SGCV II 3643, aVF, flan adjustment marks, weight 7.946 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Amisos mint, c. 100 - 85 B.C.; obverse helmeted head of young Ares right; reverse [A]MI-SOU, sword in sheath; $85.00 (€65.45) |
| Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D. |  | |
| RS57389. Silver denarius, RIC IV 103, RSC III 76, VF, weight 2.926 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 180o, Laodicea ad Mare mint, 202 A.D.; obverse P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, draped bust right, from behind; reverse MARTI VICTORI, Mars advancing right, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left; scarce; $85.00 (€65.45) |
| Amisos, Pontos, c. 100 - 85 B.C. |  | |
| GB63489. Bronze AE 20, SNG BM Black Sea 1147; SNG Stancomb 676; SNG Cop 148; SNGvA 64; BMC Pontos p. 17, 40; SGCV II 3643, aVF, weight 7.246 g, maximum diameter 21.0 mm, die axis 0o, Amisos mint, c. 100 - 85 B.C.; obverse helmeted head of young Ares right; reverse AMI-SOU, sword in sheath with strap; $85.00 (€65.45) |
| Constantine the Great, Early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D. |  | In 312, Constantine defeated Maxentius in battles at Turin, Brescia and Verona before, finally, on 28 October at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, Maxentius was killed and Constantine became sole Emperor in the West. During the battle, he reportedly has a vision of a cross with the phrase "in hoc signo vinces" ("In this sign you shall conquer"). Maxentius' body was fished out of the Tiber and decapitated. Constantine entered Rome on 29 October and was met with popular jubilation. |
| RL56576. Bronze AE 3, RIC VI 125, VF, weight 3.428 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 180o, Ticinum mint, 312 - 313 A.D.; obverse CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse MARTI CONSERVATORI, Mars standing facing, head right, inverted spear in right, leaning with left hand on grounded shield, TT in ex; rare; $80.00 (€61.60) |
| Postumus, Summer 260 - Spring 269 A.D., Struck by Aureolus |  | Struck by Aureolus in the name of Postumus during his hold of Milan against Gallienus. Gallienus died during the siege but the new emperor Claudius brought the rebellion to an end. |
| RB60402. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 388, Cunetio Hoard 2485 - 2488, VF, small flan, weight 3.303 g, maximum diameter 19.6 mm, die axis 315o, Mediolanum (Milan) mint, obverse IMP POSTVMVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS EQVIT, Mars or Virtus, in military dress, advancing right, transverse spear in right, shield in left, T in ex; $80.00 (€61.60) |
| Tacitus, 25 September 275 - 12 April 276 A.D. |  | |
| RB46795. Silvered antoninianus, Bastien IX 100; RIC V 30, VF, weight 3.574 g, maximum diameter 23.0 mm, die axis 0o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 276 A.D.; obverse IMP CL TACITVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, nude but for cloak flying behind, spear in right and trophy in left across shoulder, B left, * right; scarce; $75.00 (€57.75) |
| Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D. |  | In 277 Probus began his campaign in Gaul, clearing the Goths and Germanic tribes from the province. |
| RB46831. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 816, Choice VF, weight 4.683 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 180o, Siscia mint, 277 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR PROBVS P AVG, radiate bust left in consular robe, eagle tipped scepter in right; reverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Mars walking right, nude but for helmet and cloak flying behind, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left, P lower right, XXI in ex; extensive silvering, full circles centering, nicer than photo suggest; $75.00 (€57.75) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D. |  | In 231, Severus Alexander accompanied his mother Julia Mamaea to Syria and campaigns against the Persians. Military command rested in the hands of his generals, but his presence gave additional weight to the empire's policy. The Romans were defeated and withdrew to Syria. After heavy losses on both sides, a truce was signed accepting the status quo. In 233, Alexander celebrated a triumph in Rome to commemorate his "victory." |
| RS57055. Silver denarius, RIC IV 246, RSC III 161a, VF, weight 3.446 g, maximum diameter 19.9 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 231 - 235 A.D.; obverse IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse MARS VLTOR, Mars walking right in military garb, spear transverse in right, shield in left; $75.00 (€57.75) |
| Quintillus, August or September - October or November 270 A.D. |  | "Mars the Pacifier" may be seen as ironic today, but the Romans knew that victory in war (hopefully including the total destruction of your enemy) is an effective way to achieve peace. |
| RB56342. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 24, aVF, weight 3.588 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 270 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR CL QVINTILLVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MARTI PACIF, Mars standing left in military garb, raising olive branch in right, spear in left, X left; $70.00 (€53.90) |
| Philip I the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D. |  | In 248, Trajan Decius put down the revolts of Pacatianus in Moesia and Iotapianus in Syria. In 249, after his legionaries proclaimed him emperor, Trajan Decius marched to Verona, where his forces defeated and killed Philip the Arab. |
| RS41769. Silver antoninianus, SRCV III 8949, RIC IV 7, RSC IV 145, VF, weight 4.381 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 225o, Rome mint, 248 A.D.; obverse IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M TR P V COS III P P, Marti Pacifero standing left, wearing helmet and military garb, branch in right, supporting grounded spear and shield with left, officina mark A left; $65.00 (€50.05) |
| Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D. |  | Siscia, a chief town and colony of Pannonia, was located at confluence of the Colapis and Savus, and is now called Sisak, Croatia. The Roman imperial mint operated from 260 to c. 390 A.D. The mint master was called procurator monetae Siscianae. |
| RB46821. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 810, gVF, weight 3.778 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, die axis 0o, Siscia mint, obverse IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, radiate bust left in consular robe, eagle tipped scepter in right; reverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Mars walking right, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left, XXIS in ex; full circles strike, extensive silvering; $65.00 (€50.05) |
| Syracuse, Sicily, Roman Rule, c. 204 - 133 B.C. |  | |
| RP40133. Bronze AE 20, Calciati II, p. 430, 233; SNG Cop 910; SNG ANS 1087, F, weight 8.715 g, maximum diameter 22.5 mm, die axis 180o, Syracuse mint, obverse helmeted head of Ares right; reverse SURAKOSIWN, Nike, facing, wings spread, preparing to sacrifice bull prostate below; $60.00 (€46.20) |
| Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D. |  | In 278 A.D., Probus defeated the Alamanni, expelled the Franks from Gaul, reorganized the Roman defenses on the Rhine and resettled the Germanic tribes in the devastated provinces. He adopted the titles Gothicus Maximus and Germanicus Maximus. |
| RB47763. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 428, VF, weight 3.298 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 0o, Ticinum mint, 278 A.D.; obverse IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS AVG, Mars walking right, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left, PXXT in ex; full silver; $60.00 (€46.20) |
| Tacitus, 25 September 275 - 12 April 276 A.D. |  | |
| RS57874. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 83, gF, weight 3.502 g, maximum diameter 23.3 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 275 - 276 A.D.; obverse IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse CLEMENTIA TEMP (Time of Peace), Mars standing left holding olive branch in right and spear and shield in left, Z in right field, XXI in ex; $55.00 (€42.35) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D. |  | |
| RS45797. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 145, RSC IV 155, SRCV III 8625, gVF, worn reverse die, weight 3.735 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 243 - 244 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MARS PROPVG, Mars advancing right, spear in right, shield in left; interesting portrait, nice centering, some mint luster; $50.00 (€38.50) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D. |  | An uncommon type for Gordian! |
| RS41757. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 147, RSC IV 160, SRCV III -, aVF, weight 3.383 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 241 - 243 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars advancing right, helmeted, transverse spear in right, shield in left, cloak flying behind; well centered; $45.00 (€34.65) |
| Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D. |  | In 277, Probus began his campaign in Gaul, clearing the Goths and Germanic tribes from the province. He acquired the title Gothicus. |
| RB49546. Bronze antoninianus, RIC V 810, aVF, weight 3.491 g, maximum diameter 23.2 mm, die axis 0o, Siscia mint, 277 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust left, spear in right over shoulder, shield on left arm; reverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Mars walking right, transverse spear in right, trophy over shoulder in left, XXIV in ex; $45.00 (€34.65) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D. |  | An uncommon type for Gordian! |
| RS50931. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 147, RSC IV 160, SRCV III -, VF, weight 4.398 g, maximum diameter 21.5 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 241 - 243 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM (Champion of War), Mars advancing right, wearing helmet and military garb, transverse spear in right, shield in left, cloak flying behind; well centered; $45.00 (€34.65) |
| Postumus, Summer 260 - Spring 269 A.D. |  | |
| RS57881. Silver antoninianus, RIC V 57, VF, weight 3..589 g, maximum diameter 23.8 mm, die axis 45o, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, 262 A.D.; obverse IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse P M TR P IIII COS III P P, Mars walking right, spear transverse in right, trophy over shoulder in left; $45.00 (€34.65) |
| Gallienus, August 253 - 24 March 268 A.D. |  | Marking coins with numbers in ink was once a common practice for museums and collectors. It has been out of fashion for many decades. Unfortunately the origin of the number is not known. |
| RS41941. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 236, SRCV III 10288, VF, weight 3.751 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 264 - 266 A.D.; obverse GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right; reverse MARTI PACIFERO, Mars standing half left, olive branch raised in right, resting left on grounded shield, spear behind, A in left field, old ink museum number (34) lower left; $40.00 (€30.80) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D. |  | An uncommon type for Gordian! |
| RS45497. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 147, RSC IV 160, SRCV III -, VF, weight 4.733 g, maximum diameter 23.0 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 241 - 243 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM, Mars advancing right, helmeted, transverse spear in right, shield in left, cloak flying behind; well centered, ex Vel Garrett Collection; $40.00 (€30.80) |
| Gallienus, August 253 - 24 March 268 A.D. |  | Mars is usually depicted nude and Virtus in military garb, but this figure is identified as Mars because it appears to be male. |
| RB51079. Bronze antoninianus, Göbl 636a, RIC V 330 var (obv legend), VF, weight 3.550 g, maximum diameter 21.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 260 - 268 A.D.; obverse GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right; reverse VIRTVS AVGVSTI, Mars standing left, helmeted, branch in right, inverted spear in left, foot on helmet, X left; scarce; $40.00 (€30.80) |
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