Marcus Julius Severus Philippus, circa A.D. 237 - 249, son of Philip I (the Arab) & Marcia Otacilia Severa, led a short but eventful life. At the age of 7 or 8 the young prince was given the title of Caesar on March of 244, & accompanied his father on military campaigns throughout the empire. When Philip I made his return to Rome from Syria in August of 247, after concluding a shameful peace treaty with Shapur I, he elevated his son to the title of Augustus. Philip I died in an abortive uprising near Verona, in October of 249, & Philip II was most likely murdered by the praetorian guard shortly thereafter. The coinage minted at Rome for this family is without doubt superior to the coinage minted at Antioch, Syria, in regards to artistry & quality. However, there were some beautiful coins minted at Antioch, as seen from two coins from my collection pictured below. The 1st coin is an extremely rare tetradrachm minted in 244, & pictures a good looking boy about 7 or 8 years old. The 2nd tetradrachm was minted in 249 & pictures a handsome young man appearing much older than his years. This very rare coin has a medalic-like portrait, is perfectly centered, & is in mint state. The 1st coin weighs 11.68 gm, & the 2nd coin weighs 13.37 gm. The coinage of Philip II from Antioch, Syria is plentiful & not very expensive, but rare & finely crafted coins can be pricey.
Lovely examples, Al. PHILIP II (247 - 249 A.D.) SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria BILLON TETRADRACHM O:AVTOK K M IOVLI FILIPPOC CEB: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Seen from behind. R: DHMARC EX OVCIAC VPATO D: Eagle standing right, wings spread, holding wreath in its beak, ANTIOXIA S C below. Anioch, Syria Minted: 249 AD 26mm 13g SNG Cop 1211, Prieur 473
I have just one Antioch tetradrachm - it is Elagabalus Elagabalus, 218-222 A.D. AR Tetradrachm, struck 218-220 A.D., 25mm 12.02 grams Obverse: Laureate head of Elagabalus right AVT K M A ANTONEINOC CEB Reverse: Eagle standing left, wreath in beak, star between legs, delta epsilon in field DH MARC EX UPATOC TO B Reference: Prieur 249A; McAlee 760
Excellent coins and excellent photos! Neither of mine are as nice but shown here since they face in opposite directions from your pair.
I have one of the commoner Philippus II types with head right, but the portrait is good and shows character. AR tetradrachm Philippus II as Caesar, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch, 246. Obv. Bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. MAP IOVΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC KECAP. Rev. Eagle standing facing, head left, holding wreath in beak. ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC YΠATO Δ / S C. 26 mm, 11.97 gr. Prieur 346 a.
Pellinore, the portrait on your coins is pretty close to the period marble bust pictured but he appears rather pensive.
Mat, the portrait on your coin looks pretty close to the period marble bust also. The celators at Antioch must have been supplied with a good working model.
Those two OP coins are tremendous ! The boy, and his parents Prieur # 474_291 Prieur # 319 Prieur # 324_049 Q
Cucumbor, nice looking trio! The Philip II tet is needle sharp & the portrait of Otacilia Severa is excellent.
Mat, the reverse on your coin looks like it could have been made by the same celator who carved my coins reverse.
I only have a coin from his momma from this city: Otacilia Severa, 244-249. Roman provincial AR tetradrachm, 12.23 g, 25.1 mm. Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch ad Orontem, AD 245. Obv: ΜΑΡ ΟΤΑΚΙΛ CΕΟΥΗΡΑ CΕΒ, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟ Α, eagle on palm, left, tail right, SC in exergue. Refs: McAlee 1088; Prieur 341; BMC 541. My favorite Philip II is this sestertius: Philip II as Caesar under Philip I, AD 244-247. Roman Æ sestertius, 19.61 g, 28.3 mm, 11h. 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.
Roman Collector, the sestertius of Philip II is an example of the Rome Mint at its best. I'm still searching for a Antioch tet I can sink my teeth into .
