Philip I (the Arab), Bronze Sestertius

Philip I (the Arab), Bronze Sestertius

Philip I (the Arab), Bronze Sestertius, ca. 244-249 CE.
OBVERSE: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG (Imperator Marcus Julius Phillippus Augustus), laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: ANNONA AVGG S C (Annonna, Duo Augusti, by the degree of the senate), Annona standing left holding corn-ears over modius and cornucopia.

Philip I is often referred to as Philip the Arab because his father was a leader and Roman citizen in the province of Arabia. Philip I held a high rank in the Praetorian Guard before he was hailed as Caesar, and it is mostly agreed that he had his predecessor, Gordian III, murdered. Philip’s reign witnessed the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome, which was celebrated elaborately in the city with games and festivals. Eusebius says that Philip was tolerant of the Christians but his coinage honors the traditional pagan gods.

He was eventually killed by rebellious troops in Verona, led by Trajan Decius, in 249 CE.
Annona was the goddess of grain and harvest. Grain was given to the people by the emperors; this is probably a reference to that service.

Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.058

ca. 244-249 CE

Hallie Ford Museum of Art

1.105 in
0.580 oz

Latin

Coin

This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.