Courage

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Courage (Virtus)

'Courage' is depicted as a helmeted soldier, often a female, in armor holding a spear, parazonium, victory or a shield. Virtus and Mars can be distinguished since Mars is usually shown nude and Virtus is always shown clothed.

Gallienus, August 253 - September 268 A.D.

Virtus is the personification of valor and courage. Valor was, of course, essential for the success of a Roman emperor and Virtus was one of the embodiments of virtues that were part of the Imperial cult. During his joint reign with his father, Gallienus proved his courage in battle; but his failure to liberate his father from Persian captivity was perceived as cowardice and a disgrace to the Emperor and Empire. It was not, however, actually fear that prevented a rescue. While others mourned Valerian's fate, Gallienus rejoiced in his new sovereignty.RB76153. Orichalcum sestertius, G�bl MIR 38dd, RIC V 248, Cohen V 1293, Hunter IV 33, SRCV III 10495, Nice gVF, excellent portrait, green patina, tight flan cutting off much legend, weight 10.962 g, maximum diameter 25.3 mm, die axis 0^o, Rome mint, 253 - 255 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS AVGG (valor of the two emperors), Virtus standing left, wearing crested helmet and military garb, right resting hand on grounded shield, inverted spear vertical behind in left, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; $560.00 (�498.40)

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Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D.

In 240, the year this coin was struck, a rebellion lead by Sabinianus, the governor of Africa, was defeated in a battle near Carthage.RB68909. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 293a, Cohen V 390, SRCV III 8745 var. (obv leg), VF, nice portrait, well centered, weight 14.938 g, maximum diameter 30.5 mm, die axis 45^o, Rome mint, c. 240 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse VIRTVS AVG (the valor of the Emperor), Virtus standing left, helmeted, in military garb, branch in right hand, inverted spear in left, grounded shield on left against right leg, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; $140.00 (�124.60)

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Romano-British Empire, Carausius, Mid 286 - Spring or Early Summer 293 A.D.

This type is not listed in the many references examined by Forum. The referenced CNG specimen is listed online on Coin Archives and Wildwinds.RA73244. Billon antoninianus, Unlisted in references; CNG Mail Bid Sale 60 (22 May 2002), lot 1881; RIC V -; Webb Carausius -; SRCV IV -; Hunter IV -; et al., aF, rough, weight 4.186 g, maximum diameter 23.1 mm, die axis 225^o, Camulodunum (Colchester, England) mint, 292 - early 293 A.D.; obverse IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS AVG (the valor of the Emperor), Virtus standing right, wearing helmet and military garb, spear in left hand, shield on right arm, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field, C in exergue; from the Charles Peters Carausius Collection; extremely rare; $140.00 (�124.60)

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Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D.

Virtus was a specific virtue in ancient Rome. It carried connotations of valor, manliness, excellence, courage, character, and worth, perceived as masculine strengths (from Latin vir, "man"). It was thus a frequently stated virtue of Roman emperors and was personified as the deity Virtus.RB77368. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 693 (R); BMCRE V p. 139, 562; Cohen IV 773; SRCV II 6445; Hunter III -, F, green patina, weight 20.523 g, maximum diameter 28.4 mm, die axis 180^o, Rome mint, 195 A.D.; obverse L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP V, laureate head right; reverse VIRTVTI AVG (to the valor of the emperor), Septimius Severus on the left, standing left, in military attire, Victory on globe in his right hand, spear in his left hand; Virtus or Roma standing left behind him, helmeted, in military attire, crowning him with a wreath in her right hand, parazonium in her left, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; ex Forum 2014; rare; $140.00 (�124.60)

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Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D.

Virtus to the ancient Romans included valor, manliness, excellence, courage, character, and worth, perceived as masculine strengths (from Latin vir, "man"). Curiously, despite the masculine characteristics of virtus, the personification or deity Virtus was usually depicted as a female warrior, in armor holding a spear, parazonium, victory or a shield. Virtus and Mars can usually be distinguished since Mars is usually shown nude and Virtus is always shown clothed.RB73633. Copper as, RIC II, part 1, 650; BMCRE II 417; BnF III 545; Cohen 655; Hunter I 174; cf. SBCV I 2817 (COS XV), VF, well centered on a heavy flan, green patina with some flaking and bare toned copper high points, minor corrosion and encrustation, weight 12.962 g, maximum diameter 29.8 mm, die axis 180^o, Rome mint, 88 - 89 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIIII CENS PER P P, laureate bust right with aegis; reverse VIRTVTI AVGVSTI (to the valor of the Emperor), Virtus standing right, helmeted and draped, left foot on a helmet, inverted spear vertical behind in right hand, parazonium in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; ex Harlan J. Berk; $135.00 (�120.15)

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Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.

Virtus was a specific virtue in ancient Rome. It carried connotations of valor, manliness, excellence, courage, character, and worth, perceived as masculine strengths (from Latin vir, "man"). Virtus applied exclusively to a man's behavior in the public sphere, that is to the application of duty to the res publica in the cursus honorum. Private business was no place to earn virtus, even when it involved courage or feats of arms or other good qualities. There could be no virtue in exploiting one's manliness in the pursuit of personal wealth, for example. It was thus a frequently stated virtue of Roman emperors and was personified as the deity Virtus.RL84026. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V, part 2, 816; SRCV III 12071 var. (...P F AVG); Cohen VI 894; Hunter IV -, EF, full silvering, full circles centering, some flatly struck areas, weight 3.888 g, maximum diameter 22.4 mm, die axis 180^o, 5th officina, Siscia (Sisak, Croatia) mint, emmision 5, 278 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR PROBVS P AVG, radiate bust left in consular robe, eagle-tipped scepter in right hand; reverse VIRTVS PROBI AVG (the valor of Emperor Probus), Mars walking right, helmeted, nude but for cloak tied in belt at waist and flying behind, transverse spear upward right in right hand, trophy of captured arms over left shoulder in left hand, XXIV in exergue; $125.00 (�111.25)

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Carinus, First Half of 283 - Spring 285 A.D.

A sum of Greek numerals E (5) and ∆ (4) is used to indicate the 9th officina in order to avoid using Θ (9). Because they sound alike, theta (Θ) was associated with Thanatos, the daemon personification of death. Theta used as a warning symbol of death, in the same way that skull and crossbones are used in modern times. It survives on potsherds used by Athenians voting for the death penalty. Also, after a funeral "Nine Days of Sorrow," were solemnly observed by the family. Romans avoided the use of theta, as we avoid the use of the number 13 today.RL84211. Billon antoninianus, RIC V, part 2, 325; Cohen VI 184; SRCV III 12362; Pink VI/2, p. 52; Hunter IV -, gVF, much silvering, well centered and struck on a tight flan, weight 3.684 g, maximum diameter 20.3 mm, die axis 180^o, 9th officina, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 4th emission, May - June 284 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR CARINVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse VIRTVS AVGG (valor of the two emperors), Emperor standing right, short scepter in left hand, facing Jupiter (or Numerian) on right, standing left, with right hand offering Victory on globe, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, E∆ in lower center, XXI in exergue; $110.00 (�97.90)

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Probus, Summer 276 - September 282 A.D.

In 280 - 281, Probus put down three usurpers, Julius Saturninus, Proculus and Bonosus. The extent of these revolts is not clear, but there are clues that they were not just local problems. In 281, the emperor was in Rome, where he celebrated his triumph. Probus was eager to start his eastern campaign, delayed by the revolts in the west. He left Rome in 282, travelling first towards Sirmium, his birth city.RB71437. Billon antoninianus, RIC V, part 2, 436, Cohen VI 817, VF, weight 3.044 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 0^o, 4th officina, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, 280 - 282 A.D.; obverse IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, radiate bust left in consular robe, eagle-tipped scepter in right; reverse VIRTVS AVG (the valor of the Emperor), Virtus standing left, Victory in right, grounded spear and shield behind in left, QXXT in exergue; $100.00 (�89.00)

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Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D.

Septimius Severus' third acclamation (IMP III) was for his victory at the Battle of Nicaea.RS84449. Silver denarius, RIC IV 39 (S); RSC III 755; BMCRE III p. 32, 73A; cf. SRCV II 6386 (TR P COS, 193 A.D.); Hunter III 8 (same), VF, tight flan cutting off parts of legends, fingerprint on reverse, small edge cracks, weight 2.136 g, maximum diameter 17.6 mm, die axis 45^o, Rome mint, 194 A.D.; obverse L SEP SEV PERT AVG IMP III, laureate head right; reverse VIRT AVG TR P II COS II P P, Virtus standing half left, wearing helmet and in military dress, Victory presenting wreath in right hand, reversed spear behind in left hand; rare; $100.00 (�89.00)

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Gallienus, August 253 - September 268 A.D.

RB77901. Orichalcum sestertius, G�bl MIR 38bb, RIC V 248, Cohen V 1293, Hunter IV 33, SRCV III 10495, F, small flan cutting off most of legends, porosity, weight 12.230 g, maximum diameter 25.7 mm, die axis 0^o, Rome mint, 253 - 255 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right; reverse VIRTVS AVGG (valor of the two emperors), Virtus standing left, wearing crested helmet and military garb, right resting hand on grounded shield, inverted spear vertical behind in left, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; $60.00 (�53.40)

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Catalog current as of Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
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