Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXIII 24-25 Mar 2022
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Philip I AV Aureus. Rome, AD 245. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right / P M TR P II COS P P, emperor seated to left on curule chair, holding globe and short sceptre. RIC IV 2a; C. 119 var. (bust type); Biaggi 1381; Bland, Gold 14 (dies PI 11/TRP II 03); Calicó 3254. 4.34g, 21mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; one of only six examples to appear at auction in the past two decades, of which this is one of the two finest specimens.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group.
Philip I, a man of Arab descent who rose to the post of Praetorian Prefect under Gordian III (AD 238-244), became emperor after allegedly staging a coup against the young emperor while they were on campaign in Persia. Although the empire was beset with many troubles, the reign started off with some promise. Philip was a conscientious ruler who showed tolerance toward Christians and other persecuted groups. He spent much of his reign on campaign on the Danube subduing invasions by Germanic tribes, but returned to Rome to preside over the Saecular Games in AD 248 which marked the one-thousandth year anniversary of Rome's founding, along with his son Philip II whom he had elevated to co-Augustus. Unfortunately, trouble on the frontiers prompted Philip to dispatch the general Trajan Decius to quell the rebellions and deal with barbarian incursions. Instead, Decius was proclaimed emperor by the discontented legions in AD 249 and immediately marched on Rome. The elder Philip's army met the usurper near modern Verona that summer, but was easily defeated. Philip himself either died in battle or was assassinated by his soldiers soon after (Michael L. Meckler, Philip the Arab).
Gold coins dating from the reign of Philip I are exceptionally rare due to the increasing scarcity of precious metals in the mid-third century. This coin is one of the finest of only six examples of the type to appear at auction in the past two decades, and it depicts the emperor so well-known for the violence which bookended his reign as a consummate civil leader, seated on a curule chair - the ancient symbol of magisterial power likely as old as Rome itself.
Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare; one of only six examples to appear at auction in the past two decades, of which this is one of the two finest specimens.
Acquired from Classical Numismatic Group.
Philip I, a man of Arab descent who rose to the post of Praetorian Prefect under Gordian III (AD 238-244), became emperor after allegedly staging a coup against the young emperor while they were on campaign in Persia. Although the empire was beset with many troubles, the reign started off with some promise. Philip was a conscientious ruler who showed tolerance toward Christians and other persecuted groups. He spent much of his reign on campaign on the Danube subduing invasions by Germanic tribes, but returned to Rome to preside over the Saecular Games in AD 248 which marked the one-thousandth year anniversary of Rome's founding, along with his son Philip II whom he had elevated to co-Augustus. Unfortunately, trouble on the frontiers prompted Philip to dispatch the general Trajan Decius to quell the rebellions and deal with barbarian incursions. Instead, Decius was proclaimed emperor by the discontented legions in AD 249 and immediately marched on Rome. The elder Philip's army met the usurper near modern Verona that summer, but was easily defeated. Philip himself either died in battle or was assassinated by his soldiers soon after (Michael L. Meckler, Philip the Arab).
Gold coins dating from the reign of Philip I are exceptionally rare due to the increasing scarcity of precious metals in the mid-third century. This coin is one of the finest of only six examples of the type to appear at auction in the past two decades, and it depicts the emperor so well-known for the violence which bookended his reign as a consummate civil leader, seated on a curule chair - the ancient symbol of magisterial power likely as old as Rome itself.