Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 131 30 May 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Philip II caesar, 244 – 247
Aureus 245-246, AV 4.35 g. M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES Bare-headed and draped bust r. Rev. PRINCIPI I – VVENT Philip II, in military attire, standing l., holding globe in r. hand and spear in l. C 46. RIC 218a. Calicó 3275.
Very rare. A delightful portrait struck on a very broad flan,
minor marks, otherwise good extremely fine
Ex NAC 62, 2011, Markoff, 2060 and NAC 102, 2017, 545 sales.
Numbering amongst the unfortunate boy-emperors of the 3rd Century, Philip II was only about seven years old when his eponymous father hailed him Caesar early in 244. These formative years must have been traumatic for the young Caesar, as his father had come to the throne by way of a coup in Asia Minor, and upon returning to Europe he was perpetually at risk on the Danube front, where he fought hard to keep Rome's enemies at bay. Philip II held the title Caesar for slightly more than three years, during which time he had many attractive coins struck in his honour – principally silver double- denarii and brass sestertii. It is worth noting that the once-abundant aureus became increasingly rare during this period, and, as a consequence, their weight declined. The slide was considerable: the aureus of Severus Alexander (222–235) was generally struck at 50 per pound of gold, under Maximinus I (235–238) it decreased to about 55 per pound, under Balbinus and Pupienus (238) it slid further to 60 per pound, and under Gordian III (238–244) it decreased even further to about 65 per pound. Gordian's successors Philip I and II (244–249) reduced the aureus to a new low of 70 per pound. Although it fluctuated thereafter (often considerably: ranging from 50 to 90 per pound), this new standard was important, for it is very near the weight of the solidus, the coin introduced by Constantine the Great at 72 to the pound that remained constant into Byzantine times.
View a video of this lot
Aureus 245-246, AV 4.35 g. M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES Bare-headed and draped bust r. Rev. PRINCIPI I – VVENT Philip II, in military attire, standing l., holding globe in r. hand and spear in l. C 46. RIC 218a. Calicó 3275.
Very rare. A delightful portrait struck on a very broad flan,
minor marks, otherwise good extremely fine
Ex NAC 62, 2011, Markoff, 2060 and NAC 102, 2017, 545 sales.
Numbering amongst the unfortunate boy-emperors of the 3rd Century, Philip II was only about seven years old when his eponymous father hailed him Caesar early in 244. These formative years must have been traumatic for the young Caesar, as his father had come to the throne by way of a coup in Asia Minor, and upon returning to Europe he was perpetually at risk on the Danube front, where he fought hard to keep Rome's enemies at bay. Philip II held the title Caesar for slightly more than three years, during which time he had many attractive coins struck in his honour – principally silver double- denarii and brass sestertii. It is worth noting that the once-abundant aureus became increasingly rare during this period, and, as a consequence, their weight declined. The slide was considerable: the aureus of Severus Alexander (222–235) was generally struck at 50 per pound of gold, under Maximinus I (235–238) it decreased to about 55 per pound, under Balbinus and Pupienus (238) it slid further to 60 per pound, and under Gordian III (238–244) it decreased even further to about 65 per pound. Gordian's successors Philip I and II (244–249) reduced the aureus to a new low of 70 per pound. Although it fluctuated thereafter (often considerably: ranging from 50 to 90 per pound), this new standard was important, for it is very near the weight of the solidus, the coin introduced by Constantine the Great at 72 to the pound that remained constant into Byzantine times.
View a video of this lot