Philip II as Caesar, Tetradrachm

[Al Kowsky]

The coin pictured below I must have won at a Roma Numismatics auction some time ago & lost track of, & much to my delight found it in my desk drawer this morning ☺️. The coin is very common but a nice example, & it's the earliest issue of a Philip II Tet in my collection. It depicts the young prince at 7 years old.

ANTIOCH - SYRIA. Philip II as Caesar, AD 244-246 (struck AD 244). Obverse: Philip bare head, draped & facing right. Reverse: Eagle standing on palm frond, facing left with spread wings, wreath in beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 11.06 gm, 26 mm, 7 h.  McAlee 1009, Prieur 332.

Are there any other Philip II Tets from Numis Forums members 🤔?

Edited September 21, 2022 by Al Kowsky

[Kali]

PHILIP II (247 - 249 A.D.)

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria
Billon Tetradrachm
O:AVTOK K M IOVLI FILIPPOC CEB: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Seen from behind.
R: DHMARC EX OVCIAC VPATO 😧 Eagle standing left, wings spread, holding wreath in its beak, ANTIOXIA S C below.
Anioch, Syria 249 A.D.
26mm
13g
SNG Cop 1211, Prieur 473

[shanxi]

50 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Are there any other Philip II Tets from Numis Forums members 🤔?

I think there ar a lot.   But I have only one.

No second example in my drawer. 

 

 

Philippus II.
Syria, Antiochia
Billon tetradrachm
Obv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC YΠATO Δ. Eagle standing head left, holding wreath in beak, ANTIOXIA SC
Ref.: McAlee 1045, Prieur 466
Billon, 11.79g, 25.9mm

Edited September 21, 2022 by shanxi

[kirispupis]

It's probably just me, but posts like this always confuse me.

I always say "WTF. Philip II was never caesar!"

[dougsmit]

Nice coin.  Mine has some skin roughness in the face but I feel lucky to have any Philip II as Caesar.

 

Coins as Augustus are more common but I was attracted to this leftie.  It also has facial roughness but I belie this one gets it from a poor strike not fully erasing the blank flan texture.  The strength of the hammer blow was not enough to force metal into the face and eagle breast so we see texture rather than detail.  I'd be curious to know if it would get a slab grade as if it were worn to fine or one recognizing the lack of detail was from strike rather than wear.  I'm not curious enough to pay almost what the coin cost to find out! 

[DonnaML]

I wish I had so many ancient coins that I could find one forgotten in a desk drawer!

I have only this one Philip II tetradrachm, which I like even though it's not in the greatest condition:

Philip II, billon Tetradrachm, 248-249 AD, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, AYTOK K M IOΥΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB / Rev. Eagle standing facing, head right, wings spread, holding wreath in its beak, ΔHMAΡX EΞ OYCIAC YΠA TO Δ [4th consulship]; ANTIOXIA / S C in two lines below eagle.  Prieur 474 [Michel and Karin Prieur, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; BMC 20 Syria 560 [Warwick Wroth, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 20, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Syria (London, 1899) at p. 218]; McAlee 1042 (Series 5) (ill. p. 353) [Richard McAlee, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007)]; RPC VIII No. 29020 (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/type/29020).  27.15 mm., 14.00 g.  Ex CNG Electronic Auction 466, April 22, 2020, part of Lot 728.

[Prieure de Sion]

Marcus Iulius Severus Philippus II Caesar
Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 245 AD

Material: Silver Billon

Diameter: 26mm

Weight: 13.99g

Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria Phoenice

Reference: Prieur 346a (1 ex)

 

Obverse:

Bareheaded bust with drapery and armor to the right seen from behind. The Inscription reads: ΜΑΡ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CEB for Marcos Iulios Philippos Sebastos (Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus).

 

Reverse:

Eagle standing with open wings on palm branch, head left, tail right. The Inscription reads: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC YΠΑΤΟ Α SC for Demarchos Exousias Upatos to Alpha, Senatus consultum (Tribunicians authority, Consul for the first time, by resolution of the Senate).

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Prieure de Sion

[Al Kowsky]

4 hours ago, Kali said:

PHILIP II (247 - 249 A.D.)

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria
Billon Tetradrachm
O:AVTOK K M IOVLI FILIPPOC CEB: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Seen from behind.
R: DHMARC EX OVCIAC VPATO 😧 Eagle standing left, wings spread, holding wreath in its beak, ANTIOXIA S C below.
Anioch, Syria 249 A.D.
26mm
13g
SNG Cop 1211, Prieur 473

Excellent example of another very common coin ☺️. Thanks for posting 😉.

3 hours ago, shanxi said:

I think there ar a lot.   But I have only one.

No second example in my drawer.    One is better than none 😛.

 

 

Philippus II.
Syria, Antiochia
Billon tetradrachm
Obv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC YΠATO Δ. Eagle standing head left, holding wreath in beak, ANTIOXIA SC
Ref.: McAlee 1045, Prieur 466
Billon, 11.79g, 25.9mm

 

3 hours ago, shanxi said:

I think there ar a lot.   But I have only one.

No second example in my drawer. 

 

 

Philippus II.
Syria, Antiochia
Billon tetradrachm
Obv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞOYCIAC YΠATO Δ. Eagle standing head left, holding wreath in beak, ANTIOXIA SC
Ref.: McAlee 1045, Prieur 466
Billon, 11.79g, 25.9mm

This is an excellent example struck on fairly fresh dies, in fact your coin is superior to Prieur's plate coin ☺️. Thanks for posting 😉.

Edited September 21, 2022 by Al Kowsky

[Al Kowsky]

3 hours ago, kirispupis said:

It's probably just me, but posts like this always confuse me.

I always say "WTF. Philip II was never caesar!"

kiris., That's a very attractive coin of Philip II, thanks for posting 🤣. I should have seen this one coming 🙄....

[Al Kowsky]

1 hour ago, dougsmit said:

Nice coin.  Mine has some skin roughness in the face but I feel lucky to have any Philip II as Caesar.

 

Coins as Augustus are more common but I was attracted to this leftie.  It also has facial roughness but I belie this one gets it from a poor strike not fully erasing the blank flan texture.  The strength of the hammer blow was not enough to force metal into the face and eagle breast so we see texture rather than detail.  I'd be curious to know if it would get a slab grade as if it were worn to fine or one recognizing the lack of detail was from strike rather than wear.  I'm not curious enough to pay almost what the coin cost to find out! 

Doug, thanks for posting these excellent examples ☺️. The 1st Tet appears to be the same issue as my coin with one major difference, my coin is lacking any trace of a cuirass 🧐. McAlee does note this difference but Prieur doesn't. I agree with your comments on the 2nd coin 😉. The coin is weakly struck but shows hardly any wear, this is evident with a uniform silver coating. Lefties are far less common than the right facing bust.

[Al Kowsky]

2 hours ago, DonnaML said:

I wish I had so many ancient coins that I could find one forgotten in a desk drawer!

I have only this one Philip II tetradrachm, which I like even though it's not in the greatest condition:

Philip II, billon Tetradrachm, 248-249 AD, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Mint. Obv. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, AYTOK K M IOΥΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB / Rev. Eagle standing facing, head right, wings spread, holding wreath in its beak, ΔHMAΡX EΞ OYCIAC YΠA TO Δ [4th consulship]; ANTIOXIA / S C in two lines below eagle.  Prieur 474 [Michel and Karin Prieur, Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms (London, 2000)]; BMC 20 Syria 560 [Warwick Wroth, A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 20, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Syria (London, 1899) at p. 218]; McAlee 1042 (Series 5) (ill. p. 353) [Richard McAlee, The Coins of Roman Antioch (2007)]; RPC VIII No. 29020 (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/type/29020).  27.15 mm., 14.00 g.  Ex CNG Electronic Auction 466, April 22, 2020, part of Lot 728.

Your coin appears to be in very choice condition, probably AU, & struck from fairly fresh dies with only a trace of die rust on the portrait. Believe it or not, the size of my collection is just a shadow of what it used to be. Most of my coins have been sold at auction or by private treaty. Before moving to Churchville, NY about 7 years ago, my desk became a "catch all" for everything from coins to condoms (not that I have much use for condoms anymore 🤣). Now that I live alone I've become very disorganized 🙁.

[Al Kowsky]

1 hour ago, Prieure de Sion said:

Marcus Iulius Severus Philippus II Caesar
Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 245 AD

Material: Silver Billon

Diameter: 26mm

Weight: 13.99g

Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria Phoenice

Reference: Prieur 346a (1 ex)

 

Obverse:

Bareheaded bust with drapery and armor to the right seen from behind. The Inscription reads: ΜΑΡ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CEB for Marcos Iulios Philippos Sebastos (Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus).

 

Reverse:

Eagle standing with open wings on palm branch, head left, tail right. The Inscription reads: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCIAC YΠΑΤΟ Α SC for Demarchos Exousias Upatos to Alpha, Senatus consultum (Tribunicians authority, Consul for the first time, by resolution of the Senate).

 

Thanks for posting this very handsome coin ☺️. The coin is in excellent condition despite the light graffiti on the obverse. McAlee makes a special note in his book, #264, & states "Prieur 345 and 346a are the same." & lists the coins as Scarce. 

[Al Kowsky]

I've probably posted both of the coins pictured below already but will post again for this thread ☺️. The 1st coin is most likely the rarest coin in my collection, & to my knowledge is unique. McAlee lists the obverse as Ex. Rare. The 2nd coin is listed in McAlee's 2nd supplement as Ex. Rare, with only 3 examples known to exist. 

[Qcumbor]

Great examples folks !

I would love to find a n ancient coin, any coin, in a drawer, so far there's just junk and bills I'm afraid !

The 2 Philip II tets from my drawers, sorry, no, cases 😉

Philippe II (07 ou 08/247-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 247
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄΒ, Buste lauré, drapé et cuirassé à gauche, vu par l'avant
ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑ ΤΟ Γ , Aigle à gauche, les ailes déployées, tenant dans son bec une couronne. A l'exergue ANTIOXIA / [SC]
26 mm, 11.61 g, 7 h
Ref : Prieur # 405, McAlee #1039
Provenance : Leu web auction #14/1109

Philippe II (07 ou 08/247-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 248
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CΕΒ, Buste lauré, drapé et cuirassé à droite, vu par l'arrière
ΔHΜΑΡX ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟΔ, Aigle à droite, les ailes déployées, tenant dans son bec une couronne. A l'exergue ANTIOXIA / SC
13.92 gr
Ref : Prieur # 474_291, McAlee #1042, BMC #551,
Provenance : Marcel Pesce 25/05/1997

 

Q

[Al Kowsky]

5 hours ago, Qcumbor said:

Great examples folks !

I would love to find a n ancient coin, any coin, in a drawer, so far there's just junk and bills I'm afraid !

The 2 Philip II tets from my drawers, sorry, no, cases 😉

Philippe II (07 ou 08/247-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 247
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄΒ, Buste lauré, drapé et cuirassé à gauche, vu par l'avant
ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑ ΤΟ Γ , Aigle à gauche, les ailes déployées, tenant dans son bec une couronne. A l'exergue ANTIOXIA / [SC]
26 mm, 11.61 g, 7 h
Ref : Prieur # 405, McAlee #1039
Provenance : Leu web auction #14/1109

Philippe II (07 ou 08/247-09/249) - Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier d'Antioche, 248
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CΕΒ, Buste lauré, drapé et cuirassé à droite, vu par l'arrière
ΔHΜΑΡX ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟΔ, Aigle à droite, les ailes déployées, tenant dans son bec une couronne. A l'exergue ANTIOXIA / SC
13.92 gr
Ref : Prieur # 474_291, McAlee #1042, BMC #551,
Provenance : Marcel Pesce 25/05/1997

 

Q

Q, Thanks for post those stunning Tets 😲! They appear to be Ch MS examples struck from fresh dies ☺️. The leftie is listed as V. Rare by McAlee too.

Edited September 22, 2022 by Al Kowsky

[Edessa]

Roman Syria. Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Phillip II, AD 247-249. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 11.82g, 12h). Struck AD 247. Obv: Radiate and draped bust right. Rev: Eagle standing left, head right, with wings displayed, holding wreath in beak. Ref: McAlee 1021; Prieur 397. Rare, Prieur cites six only.

[Al Kowsky]

40 minutes ago, Edessa said:

Roman Syria. Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Phillip II, AD 247-249. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 11.82g, 12h). Struck AD 247. Obv: Radiate and draped bust right. Rev: Eagle standing left, head right, with wings displayed, holding wreath in beak. Ref: McAlee 1021; Prieur 397. Rare, Prieur cites six only.

Edessa, Thanks for posting this handsome Tet ☺️. I believe your coin is McAlee 1017, & listed as Scarce, & not McAlee 1021.

[Edessa]

Thanks for checking! My old eyes and addled brain frequently get attributions incorrect, but in this case, I believe MCAlee 1017 is bareheaded. However, it looks like McAlee 1021 has an obverse legend that starts with AVTOK. So, I (and the previous catalogers, which include CNG) are all wrong. It's the same obverse die as pictured in Prieur as 397, so that attribution looks to be correct. That would make it McAlee 1020 (not pictured, Very Rare). The correct description should have included "Cuirassed".

Learn something new every day!

[Prieure de Sion]

Marcus Iulius Severus Philippus II Caesar

Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 248/249 AD

Material: Billon

Diameter: 28.5mm

Weight: 14.85g

Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria Phoenice

Reference: Prieur 474 (98 ex), McAlee 1042

 

Obverse:

Draped and cuirassed bust of Philippus II with laurel wreath to the right. Inscription: ΑΥΤΟΚ · Κ · Μ · ΙΟΥΛΙ · ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ · ϹЄΒ for Autokrator Kaisar Marcos Ioulios Philippos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus).

 

Reverse:

Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. Inscription: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ · ЄΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ · ΥΠΑ · ΤΟ · Δ · ANTIOXIA · S C for Demarchos Exousias Upatos to Delta, Antiochia, Senatus consultum (Tribunicians authority, Consul for the fourth time, Antiochia, Senatus consultum).

[Roman Collector]

Nice one, @Al Kowsky! I only have one of his mom:


Otacilia Severa, 244-249.
Roman provincial AR tetradrachm, 12.23 g, 25.1 mm, 7 h.
Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch ad Orontem, AD 245.
Obv: ΜΑΡ ΟΤΑΚΙΛ CΕΟΥΗΡΑ CΕΒ, diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟ Α, eagle on palm, left, tail right, SC in exergue.
Refs: McAlee 1088; Prieur 341; BMC 541.

[Al Kowsky]

On 9/23/2022 at 12:39 PM, Edessa said:

Thanks for checking! My old eyes and addled brain frequently get attributions incorrect, but in this case, I believe MCAlee 1017 is bareheaded. However, it looks like McAlee 1021 has an obverse legend that starts with AVTOK. So, I (and the previous catalogers, which include CNG) are all wrong. It's the same obverse die as pictured in Prieur as 397, so that attribution looks to be correct. That would make it McAlee 1020 (not pictured, Very Rare). The correct description should have included "Cuirassed".

Learn something new every day!

Edessa, Indeed you are correct, the coin is McAlee 1020 ☺️! Prieur does not picture an example of this coin type but McAlee does. What makes these coins so confusing & difficult to attribute is the vast amount of die variations & the lack of photos for every type listed 🤪. So many of these coins have been cross referenced to one particular example it's easy to go astray 😬.There have been times when my eyes have nearly turned bloodshot trying to attribute these coins 🧐. McAlee has done a pretty good job by issuing two more supplements to his original book & picturing examples not seen before. New varieties are surfacing all the time & if we all pool our heads together we can generally find the right answer 😄.

[Al Kowsky]

4 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

Marcus Iulius Severus Philippus II Caesar

Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 248/249 AD

Material: Billon

Diameter: 28.5mm

Weight: 14.85g

Mint: Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria Phoenice

Reference: Prieur 474 (98 ex), McAlee 1042

 

Obverse:

Draped and cuirassed bust of Philippus II with laurel wreath to the right. Inscription: ΑΥΤΟΚ · Κ · Μ · ΙΟΥΛΙ · ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ · ϹЄΒ for Autokrator Kaisar Marcos Ioulios Philippos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus).

 

Reverse:

Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. Inscription: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ · ЄΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ · ΥΠΑ · ΤΟ · Δ · ANTIOXIA · S C for Demarchos Exousias Upatos to Delta, Antiochia, Senatus consultum (Tribunicians authority, Consul for the fourth time, Antiochia, Senatus consultum).

P.de Sion, Thanks for posting this magnificent coin 🤩! If this coin isn't FDC, it's the next closest thing 😉. The coin is obviously an early strike from fresh dies, & the portrait was engraved by a very gifted craftsman.

[Al Kowsky]

5 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

Nice one, @Al Kowsky! I only have one of his mom:


Otacilia Severa, 244-249.
Roman provincial AR tetradrachm, 12.23 g, 25.1 mm, 7 h.
Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch ad Orontem, AD 245.
Obv: ΜΑΡ ΟΤΑΚΙΛ CΕΟΥΗΡΑ CΕΒ, diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC ΥΠΑΤΟ Α, eagle on palm, left, tail right, SC in exergue.
Refs: McAlee 1088; Prieur 341; BMC 541.

R.C., Thanks for posting your Otacilia Tet ☺️.The quantity of coins minted with her image is miniscule compared to the coins of Philip I & II 😉. RPC VIII lists 7 examples in addition to your coin, so you've got a rarity 😀. Several years ago I won a nice example of Otacilia from CNG 439 that's pictured in Prieur's book & RPC VIII.