Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Jotapian, 248 – 249.
Antoninianus, Nicopolis Seleuciae (?) 248-249, AR 4.34 g. [IMP] C M F R ΙΟΤΑPΙΑΝVS A Radiate and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VICT – ORIA AVG Victory advancing l., holding wreath and palm branch. C 2. RIC 2c. Bland, Essays Carson, pl. XXX, 5.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among
the finest specimens known. Struck on unusually fine metal for
the issue. About extremely fine
From the outset of his reign, Philip I displayed a general gift of incompetence. He clearly was skilled enough to climb the ranks and then to treacherously eliminate the prefect Timesitheus and the emperor Gordian III, but once he had no peer to overcome it was clear that he did not have the talent to rule. Philips first mistake was to make peace with the Sasanians on terms which were not only disgraceful to the army, but expensive. Zosimus (I, 20, 2) tells us this was the spark for the revolt of Jotapian among the Syrian legions. Philip had to pay a severe ransom to the Persians in exchange for Roman captives, while also having to absorb the expense of building his home town of Philippopolis in Arabia from the ground-up and staging lavish games for the millenary celebration in Rome. Another mistake was entrusting the administration of the East to his brother Priscus, who ruled harshly and increased taxation beyond what could be sustained. These circumstances brought forth Jotapian, an army commander who Aurelius Victor says was related to Severus Alexander, and who may in fact have been a descendant of the royal house of Commagene. Jotapian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers and for several months may have controlled a vast area, for Polemius Sylvius places the revolt in Cappadocia and Victor describes it as having started in Syria (which, if true, could only include the northern part, for he did not strike coins at Antioch). Opinions on when the uprising began vary, with the conventional view being the summer of 248. But much light was shed on the subject by Roger Bland in a 1993 study, in which he suggests the revolt did not occur until the fall of 249. More importantly still, Bland produced convincing evidence that Jotapians coins were struck at Nicopolis, a city located about 100 miles north of Antioch, quite near the former kingdom of Commagene. Bland catalogued only double-denarii for Jotapian, but since his study was published a piece of double-denarius weight but with a laureate bust has surfaced (CNG 61, lot 2027), allowing for the possibility, at least, that Jotapian coined aurei or intended to do so.
Antoninianus, Nicopolis Seleuciae (?) 248-249, AR 4.34 g. [IMP] C M F R ΙΟΤΑPΙΑΝVS A Radiate and cuirassed bust r. Rev. VICT – ORIA AVG Victory advancing l., holding wreath and palm branch. C 2. RIC 2c. Bland, Essays Carson, pl. XXX, 5.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among
the finest specimens known. Struck on unusually fine metal for
the issue. About extremely fine
From the outset of his reign, Philip I displayed a general gift of incompetence. He clearly was skilled enough to climb the ranks and then to treacherously eliminate the prefect Timesitheus and the emperor Gordian III, but once he had no peer to overcome it was clear that he did not have the talent to rule. Philips first mistake was to make peace with the Sasanians on terms which were not only disgraceful to the army, but expensive. Zosimus (I, 20, 2) tells us this was the spark for the revolt of Jotapian among the Syrian legions. Philip had to pay a severe ransom to the Persians in exchange for Roman captives, while also having to absorb the expense of building his home town of Philippopolis in Arabia from the ground-up and staging lavish games for the millenary celebration in Rome. Another mistake was entrusting the administration of the East to his brother Priscus, who ruled harshly and increased taxation beyond what could be sustained. These circumstances brought forth Jotapian, an army commander who Aurelius Victor says was related to Severus Alexander, and who may in fact have been a descendant of the royal house of Commagene. Jotapian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers and for several months may have controlled a vast area, for Polemius Sylvius places the revolt in Cappadocia and Victor describes it as having started in Syria (which, if true, could only include the northern part, for he did not strike coins at Antioch). Opinions on when the uprising began vary, with the conventional view being the summer of 248. But much light was shed on the subject by Roger Bland in a 1993 study, in which he suggests the revolt did not occur until the fall of 249. More importantly still, Bland produced convincing evidence that Jotapians coins were struck at Nicopolis, a city located about 100 miles north of Antioch, quite near the former kingdom of Commagene. Bland catalogued only double-denarii for Jotapian, but since his study was published a piece of double-denarius weight but with a laureate bust has surfaced (CNG 61, lot 2027), allowing for the possibility, at least, that Jotapian coined aurei or intended to do so.