Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.
RS116341. Silver denarius, RIC II-1 939 (R); RSC II 129; BnF III 179; BMCRE II 203, Hunter I 61, SRCV I -, gF, toned, centered, struck with worn dies, 3.022g, 18.0mm, 210o, Rome mint, IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse COS VIII, Mars standing left, nude but for helmet and chlamys, spear in right hand, trophy in left, grain ear on right ; rare
Although Ares was viewed by the Greeks primarily as destructive and destabilizing, worthy of contempt and revulsion, for the Romans, Mars represented military power as a way to secure peace, and was a father (pater) of the Roman people. The stalk of grain may refer to Mars' roll as an agricultural guardian.