Just picked this up from @John Anthony It is not particularly rare, nor is it particularly common. Because of the unusual reverse type I snapped it up. Philip I, Ad 244-249 AR Antoninianus, 4.3g, 25mm, 6h; Rome mint, AD 248. Nicely Toned. Obv.: IMP PHILLIPVS AVG; Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev.: Nobilitas AVGG; Nobilitas standing, facing, head right, long scepter vertical in right hand, globe in left hand. From the Mat Collection, ex-FORVM, ex-Beast Coins, ex-Harlan Berk. Post any coins of Philip or NOBILITAS types
Philippus I, the Arab, 244-249 AD, AR antoninianus. Reverse ROMAE AETERNAE, with Rome seated holding a scepter or spear, and a Nike. Choice EF, RIC 44. commemorates the Saecular games in April 248 AD, marking the 1000th year since the foundation of Rome (1000 ab urbe condita). One thousand gladiators perished in the games. Philip was of Arab ancestry and rose through the ranks, becoming Emperor after the death of Gordon III. He paid an enormous indemnity to Shapur I to conclude the Persian war, and returned to Rome. This same Shapur later captured the Emperor Valerian. Phillip was reputed by Eusebius to be a Christian, and although most authorities do not accept this, Phillip was not hostile to the faith. He was murdered and succeeded by Trajan Decius, who did persecute Christians vigorously.
I do enjoy a nice Philip antoninianus. Lovely addition to your collection, @ancient coin hunter! It's always fun to acquire a coin once owned by a fellow CT member, too. This is one of my favorites -- I like the reverse design and the use of officina marks. It was one of a large number of coins issued for the Ludi Novae Saeculares ("Games of the New Age" or the "Millennial Games") of AD 248, which marked the 1,000th anniversary of Rome's foundation. 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. Here's an elephant, another one of my favorites! 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.
@ancient coin hunter .......Very nice lookin coin!... I do like the coinage of this Emperor especially his Antoninianus which can be found with such wonderful detail... Here's mine a RIC#38b.... This donative was given to celebrate the arrival of the Royal Family in Rome AD245
Nice one, @ancient coin hunter - @Mat posted one like the OP a while back: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/nobile-snack.366658/#post-4864525 Not to repeat myself, but...Nobilitas is an interesting reverse type - here is an informative FORVM post: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/moonmoth/reverse_nobilitas.html So it seems Nobilitas didn't show up until Commodus. Here are three of mine: Commodus denarius: Commodus sestertius: Geta as a kid:
This coin doesn't stand up with anything in particular, but I bought it because I liked the idea of a reverse out of the pattern of "somebody seated/standing". I am trying to get an example from each emperor (... the affordable ones anyways) and this is good enough. 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
Philip I Ar Antoninianus Antioch 244-249 AD Obv Bust left radiate and cuirassed seen from front . Rv Felicitas standing facing head left. RIC 76 3.90 grams 21 mm Photo by W. Hansen It is during the reign of Philip that we can see something of the complexity of the Roman coinage. We can see both Tetradrachms and antoninianii minted in both Roma and Antioch. Moreover many of the large Ae coins from many of the Syrian mints are actually minted at Antioch.
It's actually a cippus, and is part of the Saecvlares Avgg series celebrating the games commemorating Rome's 1000th anniversary in 248 AD. "Saeculares, " of course, is related to the word for century, and has nothing to do with "secular. "
