Hi all, I recently purchased this coin, essentially on a whim, at a reputable coin dealer in my local city. I had not done any research or reading on the subjects, and I've never had a particular interest in coins previously. Well, it struck me how amazing it is to own something so old and of interest at such an affordable price. This coin stuck out to me in particular and so I bought it. Having now done some reading about Philip the Arab, and ancient coins in general - I may have accidentally found an interest that could get out of hand, as I really enjoyed learning about it and reading some of the posts on here. I would love to hear your thoughts on this coin. I would also like to know the risk of it being an imitation, as the detail shown on the bust side appears higher than that I've seen on similar examples? Mistake or not as a first coin purchase, I've definitely enjoyed the experience!
Welcome to the forum. It's definitely a real ancient of Phillip I. Ancients are easily a slippery slope. I got into them about 2008 buying my first one here from a former poster and it's been downhill since. They are much more fun & interesting to collect them moderns in many ways. Most of the rules U.S. collectors have don't apply, which makes them much more fun. I have many coins from Philip I. Here is a favorite. Don't forget he has a wife and child too. Philip I (244 - 249 A.D.) O: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind. R: LIBERALITAS AVGG II, Liberalitas standing left, counting board in right, cornucopia in left. Rome 21mm 5.8g RIC IV 38b, RSC IV 87 SRCV III 8937
Guy, I know exactly what you mean . The coins of Philip I (the Arab) & his family are addictive. Nice looking double denarii are attractive & not that expensive . Attached below are three coins of Philip, his wife & son from Antioch, Syria. You've got a nice start with your 1st pick .
You'd be surprised how well coins of the 3rd century are preserved. They were produced in large numbers and often hoarded shortly after minting. Unlike the relatively peaceful time of the adoptive emperors, when coins circulated for decades and are thus commonly found worn, the silver coins of the "barracks emperors" often saw little circulation. There are lots of high grade, inexpensive coins of Philip I and his wife Otacilia Severa. The reverse of your coin isn't worn -- the DIE used to make the coin was worn out, giving it a mushy appearance. I've often thought Philip's coins would make a fine specialty, but I have too many irons in the fire already. Some of the coins in highest demand were the coins issued for the Ludi Novae Saeculares ("Games of the New Age" or the "Millennial Games") commemorating Rome's 1000th anniversary in 248 AD. These have various animals from exotic parts of the empire and such. Here are some of my favorite coins of Philip and his family: Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman AR Antoninianus, 23mm, 3.93 g, 7h. Rome mint, 5th officina, 8th emission, AD 248. Obv: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG, Philip I and II on horseback galloping right; Є below. Refs: RIC IV 10; RSC 241a; RCV 8976; Hunter 43. Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman AR Antoninianus, 3.73 g, 22.4 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 247. Obv: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate and draped bust, right. Rev: AETERNITAS AVGG, elephant guided by mahout with goad and wand, walking left. Refs: RIC 58; Cohen 17; RCV 8921; Hunter 31. Otacilia Severa, AD 244-249. Roman AR antoninianus, 4.53 g, 22.0 mm, 7 h. Rome, 4th officina, 4th emission of Philip I, AD 245. Obv: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG, Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent. Rev: PVDICITIA AVG, Pudicitia seated left, drawing veil and holding scepter. Refs: RIC 123c; RSC 53; RCV 9159; CRE 538. Philip II as Caesar under Philip I, AD 244-247. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 19.61 g, 28.3 mm, 11 h. Rome, AD 245-246. Obv: M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev: PRINCIPI IVVENT S C, Philip II in military dress, standing left, holding globe and resting on spear. Refs: RIC 256a; Cohen 49; RCV 9249; Hunter 14.
Very nice Philip I, especially the obverse! I also agree the coin is genuine. Welcome to ancient world. Be aware there's no coming back. Here is Philip's family in my collection Philip I Arab AD 244-249. Rome Antoninianus AR 22 mm, 2,42 g RIC IV Philip I 24 Obverse Legend: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG Portrait: Philip the Arab Type: Bust of Philip the Arab, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right | Bust of Philip the Arab, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right Reverse Legend: SAECVLARES AVGG Type: Low column inscribed COS III (cippus) Otacilia Severa AD 244-249. Rome Antoninianus AR 23 mm, 3,54 g RIC IV Philip I 125 Date Range: AD 246 - AD 248 Obverse Legend: M OTACIL SEVERA AVG Portrait: Otacilia Severa Type: Bust of Otacilia Severa, diademed, draped, on crescent, right | Bust of Otacilia Severa, diademed, draped, right Reverse Legend: CONCORDIA AVGG Type: Concordia, draped, seated left, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left hand Philip II, as Caesar AD 244-246. Rome Sestertius Æ 30 mm, 14,16 g RIC IV Philip I 255 Date Range: AD 244 - AD 246 Obverse Legend: M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES Type: Bust of Philip II, bare-headed, draped, right Portrait: Philip II Reverse Legend: PRINCIPI IVVENTVT S C Type: Philip II, in military attire, standing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and globe in left hand
Welcome to Coin Talk. That is a very nice Philip I antoninianus. Your story about how you came by it, and an interest in collecting ancients is terrific - we get posts from time to time from people asking how to start out collecting ancients, and I think the way you did it is an example of the best way - your first purchase was something that caught your eye. After you bought it, you started reading about the coin, and you felt yourself drawn in. That's how you start a collection! In my experience, you can't really pre-plan these things. Not to scare you off, but I looked up your coin on OCRE (Online Coins of the Roman Empire), searching for Roma seated types. There are five types. This database is very good, but it can be a little baffling at first (or so I found). But you can see a whole bunch of examples of your coin in one place: http://numismatics.org/ocre/results...t_facet:"Philip+the+Arab"+AND+fulltext:seated Below is one like yours - not as nice as yours, I might add. As @Roman Collector notes above, the dies were often worn when these were struck - I think mine is a good example of this: Philip I Antoninianus (247 A.D.) Rome (5th Issue, 6th Offina) IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma sitting left, holding Victory and sceptre. RIC 44b; Sear 8952; RSC 169 (3.86 grams / 21 mm) And finally, here is another one, with a different reverse type. Most of mine are white silver, as are most antoniniani of this era (from cleaning, I think). This one, however, is considerably toned. Your post gives me an excuse to show it off... Philip I Antoninianus (246-247 A.D.) Rome Mint (5th & 6th Issue, 2nd Officina) IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / AEQVITAS AVGG, Aequitas standing left, holding cornucopia and scales. RIC 27b; RSC 9. (4.32 grams / 22 mm) Happy collecting!
Philip I is a great starter emperor - excellent price/quality spread for his silver. Examples from my collection The best portrait I have of him (I'm a softie for a sharp portrait) Historically important - PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS is his take on buying peace from Shapur I - Philip saw it as an investment toward lasting peace and prosperity Shapur had a markedly different view... Philip here is the Roman kneeling in supplication while Shapur holds Valerian in bondage His Secular Games issues are also of interest- held in 248 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome Sestertius depicting the foundation myth An uncommon As (1/4 Sestertius) issued for the same festival, likely as a door prize/donative, as the As would have been virtually worthless by 248
Al Kowsky introduced the fact that there were coins of Phillip struck in the Provinces but I'll add that there are a large number of types from any cities that are there to tempt the Philip collector. Philip I, Zeugma, temple courtyard with orchard Otacilia Severa Antioch ad Meandrum, Caria / Athena Philip II, Tomis, unusual 1 1/2 assaria denomination / Athena My favorite Provincials are those of Alexandria in Egypt. This Philip I tetradrachm shows Serapis and Cerberus.
Philip I the Arab though he was born only a few miles south of Damascus is an interesting though rather dubious character. We really know nothing about him until he becomes Prefect of the Praetorian Guard during the reign of Gordian III. Then there is the whole issue of his rise to power. Did Gordian die as a result of wounds suffered during a victorious campaign? A campaign involving a serious defeat or a palace coup all we know that Phil is left in charge. Mind you given the life expectancy of Roman Emperors during this period of time one can certainly see why on some of his portraits he does look worried. Philip I Ar Antoninianus Antioch 244-249 AD Obv Bust right radiate draped and cuirassed. Rv Aequitas stg left RIC 82 var 4.11 grams 21 mm Photo by W. Hansen I have noted this on other threads but it is noteworthy that one of the more popular motifs in the Roman denarii and antoninianii is the cry for aequitas or equality.
@Guybrush .......Nice coin to start your collection!.. Here's mine .... Philip I Antoninianus AD 244 / 249 Obverse..IMP M IVL PHILIPPUS AVG.... radiate, draped bust right. Reverse..LIBERALITAS AVGGII... liberalitus standing right holding abacua and cornucopiae. RIC 38b 4th Issue 5th Officina...This donative was given to celebrate the arrival of the Royal Family in Rome AD245
@Guybrush , welcome to CT Ancients! 3rd century emperors are a great way to start collecting ancients. As others have stated, they show a lot of variety, often come in attractive grades, and don't cost too much. Philip I "the Arab," Roman Empire, antoninian, 248 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, bust of Philip I, draped and radiate, r. Rev: P M TR P V COS III P P, Felicitas standing facing, head l, holding caduceus and cornucopia. 22mm, 3.84g. Ref: RIC IV Philip I 6. Philip I “the Arab,” Roman Empire, AR antoninian, 244–247 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG; bust of Philip the Arab, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: LAETIT FVNDAT; Laetitia, draped, standing l., holding wreath and rudder. 24.5mm, 4.37g. Ref: RIC IV Philip I 36. Philip I “the Arab,” Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 244–247 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG; bust of Philip the Arab, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. REV: ROMAE AETERNAE; Roma, helmeted, seated on shield l., holding Victory in r. hand and sceptre in l. hand; at side, altar. 21mm, 4.16g. Ref: RIC IV Philip I 45.
I must admit that I developed a fondness for his Antioch issues.... This one has an uneven strike but is otherwise ok.
They are easy to admire. We also can get into discussions as to which portraits belong to which Philip. Do you believe that all coins of the father have beards and old features? Are there some that seem to aim for a middle ground?
I was very lucky to score this Tet of Philip I from Antioch,Syria, with only 2 examples known to exist . Prieur 451 cites 1 example (Jerusalem). McAlee 959, Ex. Rare.
