Ancients: Philip I (AD 244-249). AV aureus (21mm, 4.26 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, brushed....

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Third Known Example

Philip I (AD 244-249). AV aureus (21mm, 4.26 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, brushed. Rome, AD 244-247. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Philip I right, seen from behind / FIDE-S MILIT, Fides standing facing, head left, grounded scepter in right hand, transverse vexillum in left. Cohen -, cf. 54 (antoninianus). RIC IV.III -, cf. 33 (same). Calicó -, cf. 3247 (Fides with two ensigns and different legend). Extremely rare. Apparently only the third known specimen of this extremely rare type. Struck from Fine Style dies on bright flan.

The elder Philip was a nobleman of Arab descent who had risen to the post of Praetorian Prefect in the reign of Gordian III (AD 238-244) before staging a successful 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 that showed tolerance toward Christians and other persecuted groups. In AD 247, the younger Philip was elevated to the rank of co-Augustus, and together father and son presided over the Saecular Games that marked Rome's 1,000th anniversary in AD 248. However, in the following months turmoil on the frontiers led to a rash of attempted usurpations, prompting the elder Philip to send the general Trajan Decius to put them down. Instead, Decius was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers, who then marched against Rome. The two Philips gathered a legionary force and marched out to meet the usurper at Verona, but were defeated and slain in battle. An alternative account states that the younger Philip remained at Rome, but was murdered by the Praetorians once the outcome became known.

Gold coins dating from the reign of the two Philips are exceptionally rare, due to the increasing scarcity of precious metals in the mid-third century.

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