CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Philip I
- Denomination:
- AR Tetradrachm
- Composition:
- Silver
- Date:
- 244 AD
- Obverse:
- AYTOK K M IOYΛ ΦΙΛΙΠΟY CEB, Head of Philip I, laureate, draped and cuirassed, facing right
- Reverse:
- ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC, Eagle standing, facing, on palm-branch, head left, wreath in beak; S C left and right, in field; above right, A (year 1); in exergue, MON VRB ('Moneta Urbis')
- Reference:
- Prieur 305; McAlee 901a; BMC Galatia [Antioch] p. 213, 509; SNG Copenhagen 262 var. (no date in field); SGICV 3957 var. (same)
- Size:
- 26.64mm, 14.5g, 6h
- Province:
- Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem; possibly from Rome mint, for use in Syria (refer note below)
- Grade:
- virtually as struck, with no visible wear, weak obverse strike, lightly toned with excellent lustre
- Rarity:
- scarce
- Provenance:
- ex Pegasi Numismatics Auction 37 (14 November 2017), Lot 347
- Information:
- Virtually in mint state with no noticeable wear. The mintmark MON VRB in the exergue is the abbreviated form of 'Moneta Urbis' which means 'mint of the city'. It is thought that coins bearing this mintmark were minted in Rome, for use in Syria.
Philip I seized power after the young Roman Emperor Gordian III died under mysterious circumstances. Some claim that he was responsible. His reign was short and marred by financial difficulties from the significant expenditure involved in building the city of Philippopolis, a large payment to the Persians to make peace, as well as payment to his army so the they could support his accession to power. Philip raised taxes significantly whilst at the same time stopped the payment of subsidies north of the Danube which were needed to maintain peace. This led to uprisings. Philip I offered to resign but the senate chose to support him. He sent Trajan Decius to deal with the rising discontent. Instead Decius betrayed him. He was proclaimed emperor by the Danubian armies and marched on Rome. Battle was fought outside of Rome near modern day Verona. Decius won the battle and Philip was killed shortly thereafter, either in battle, or by his own soldiers.
I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.
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Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras
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Date