I recently got around to photographing these coins on a boring, stay at home day . Neither coin is rare but both have an attractive portrait . Antioch - Syria, Philip I, AD 244-249 (struck AD 247) Billon Tetradrachm: 10.55 gm, 26.60 mm, 7 h. Obverse: Radiate, cuirassed bust facing left, seen from the front. Gorgon's head on cuirass. Reverse: Eagle standing right, head right, wreath in beak. McAlee 919 (a) 1, Scarce. Prieur 354, 19 coins cited. Slight roughness on both sides, striking weakness on reverse, Gorgon head well defined. Antioch - Syria, Philip I, AD 244-249 (struck AD 248-9). Billon Tetradrachm: 11.78 gm, 27.30 gm, 12 h. Obverse: Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust facing right, seen from behind. Reverse: Eagle standing right, head right, wings spread, wreath in beak. Striking weakness on reverse. McAlee 934, Prieur 445. Click images for a larger view .
Nice coins.....Really like the detail on the lefty! But the second coin is really well balanced and my favourite ......Lovely pick ups!
Those portraits give a rather different impression than the famous bust statue of his. The statue makes it seem like he's a serious, pensive man weighed down by the weight of the world. Your coins give him a rather more confident, and somewhat militaristic look in my opinion.
hotwheelsearl, Don't forget that Philip I was a military man, praetorian prefect, to Gordian III. He most likely conspired to have the young emperor murdered . He is also remembered for negotiating a shameful peace treaty Shapur I of Persia. I think he was weighted down by guilt, more than anything else .
Very nice coins well photographed. I especially like the mottled red/burgundy background color. It really sets off the silvery coins. Really love the eagles on those Antioch Tets. Yours are majestic...
I'm not convinced it was considered shameful at the time. Why honor the event on a coin if it were nothing to be proud of? This coin's reverse inscription is translated "Peace established with Persia." Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman AR Antoninianus, 3.51 g, 21.4 mm, 1 h. Antioch, AD 244. Obv: IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG PM, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse scepter. Refs: RIC 69; Cohen 113; RCV 8941; Hunter 120.
Macromius, Thanks for the kind words . I do a lot of photography on coins & small art objects, & frequently go to hobby shops & textile companies looking for background material. Nero decreed that the eagle should appear on the reverse of all tetradrachms as identification of the denomination. My favorite depiction of an eagle on a Antioch Tet is pictured below, AD 205-207. The eagle is gripping the leg of a hare, alluding to the founding myth of the city of Antioch.
R.C., You're probably right, at that moment in history I'm sure Romans were tired of warfare & a peace treaty was gratefully received, however, buying that peace treaty for 500,000 denarii is not honorable .
Ah, they were probably denarii of Gordian III, which is no big deal because there are at least 100 million of 'em left!
I really like the lefty and that gorgon. Judging from the background, should the second coin be shown just a bit darker?
I was shooting a group of coins that day in natural subdued sunlight with a moving cloud overcast. Upon reviewing the photos some looked too light & others too dark. So it was necessary to do some editing, that's why the background varies in appearance. When I edit in my upstairs study I keep the coins in front of me trying to match the photo with the coin . My camera & photo setup is pretty amateurish. I shoot photos indoors near glass doors that lead to my outdoor patio. Certain times of the day yield the best photos.
