A Great Rarity in Spectacular Condition
654. Philip II, as Caesar, AV Aureus. Rome, AD 245. M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, bare-headed and draped bust to right / PRINCIPI IVVENT, Philip standing to right, holding spear in right hand, globe in left. RIC 216a; Bland, Gold 22 (dies 7/- [unlisted rev. die]); Calicó 3276; Biaggi 1390. 4.50g, 22mm, 6h. Near Mint State. Very Rare; the finest example offered at auction in the past 20 years.
27,500
From the Long Valley River Collection; Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXI, 9 January 2018, lot 827 (hammer: USD 45,000). Born in AD 237, Marcus Julius Severus Philippus was seven years old when his eponymous father, the emperor Philip I, had him proclaimed Caesar early in AD 244. Although the empire was beset with many troubles, the reign started off with some promise; Philip II accompanied his father on campaigns against the Quadi and Carpi on the Danube frontier in AD 245-247, and when Philip I returned in triumph, his 10-year-old son was elevated to the rank of co-Augustus and together they presided over the extravagant Saecular Games that marked Rome’s 1,000th anniversary in AD 248. However, in the following months further turmoil on the frontiers led to a rash of attempted usurpations, the most serious by the general Trajan Decius, who then marched against Rome in mid-AD 249. The elder Philip’s army met the usurper near modern Verona that summer, but was easily defeated. Philip himself either died in battle of was assassinated by his soldiers soon after (Michael L. Meckler, Philip the Arab). The fate of Philip II is uncertain; Aurelius Victor (Epitome de Caesaribus xxviii) suggests he was murdered by the Praetorian guard when news of the defeat reached Rome. 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. This beautiful aureus displays an exceptionally lifelike portrait of the young Caesar, then about eight or nine years of age.
655. Philip II Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 246-249. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / PAX AETERNA, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse sceptre; S-C across fields. RIC 268c; C. 25. 19.11g, 29mm, 12h. Good Extremely Fine; well detailed.
400
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
379