Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 409 8 Nov 2017
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ARABIA, Philippopolis. Divus Julius Marinus. Died circa AD 246/7. Æ (29mm, 14.69 g, 12h). Struck at Antioch, circa AD 247-249. Bareheaded bust right, slight drapery, supported by eagle standing right / Roma or Allat seated left, holding in right hand two figures standing on eagle, spear in left hand; shield at her side, S C across field. Butcher, Two pl. 25, 10 var. (eagle's head reverted, Marinus fully draped); Spijkerman 1 var. (same); Sofaer 1 var. (same); SNG ANS –; De Saulcy 1; Triton XVI, lot 743 corr. Fine, green and brick red patina, heavily smoothed and tooled (Athena's spear now looks like a whip). Rare.
The father of Philip I, Julius Marinus hailed from a small town in the province of Arabia (modern day Shuhba, Syria; the original name of the ancient town is unknown). Following the death of Marinus, Philip deified his father and had a temple to him built in his newly aggrandized hometown – now renamed Philippoplis and elevated to the rank of colonia.
The neat fabric of the city's coins is quite out of place for Arabia. This, combined with die links between the coins of Philippopolis, Zeugma, and Antioch, point to production at a central location, with Antioch being the likeliest candidate.
The father of Philip I, Julius Marinus hailed from a small town in the province of Arabia (modern day Shuhba, Syria; the original name of the ancient town is unknown). Following the death of Marinus, Philip deified his father and had a temple to him built in his newly aggrandized hometown – now renamed Philippoplis and elevated to the rank of colonia.
The neat fabric of the city's coins is quite out of place for Arabia. This, combined with die links between the coins of Philippopolis, Zeugma, and Antioch, point to production at a central location, with Antioch being the likeliest candidate.