Philip I, "Cheekbone" portrait from Antioch

[Steppenfool]

The Antioch mint produced coins for Philip I when the Emperor and the army were on their way back from paying off Sapor after the battle of Misiche which saw the death of Gordian III.

One portrait style sticks out to me, I call it the "cheekbone portrait" due to Philip's gaunt appearance with exaggerated cheekbones.. I was happy to add an example to my collection recently, paired with the propagandistic"Peace with the Sassanids (Persia)" reverse. I've seen this portrait style on the SPES FELICITATAS ORBIS issues too

 

Philip I "Arabus"
AR Antoninianus of Antiochia 26mm 5.08g
IMPCMIVLPHILIPPVSAVGPM
Radiate draped and cuirassed bust R seen from behind
Reverse
PAXFVN-DATACVMPERSIS
Pax standing facing head L holding up olive branch and Transverse Sceptre
1st issue,  244 ce
RIC IV 69 Variety

 

 

 

 

Compare to my previous example, the cheekbones are still pronounced, but not to the same extent. This also marks the first time I've bought a "double" of a coin I've already owned.

 

Philip I. AD 244-249. AR Antoninianus (Peace with the Sassanids) (21mm, 4.22 g, 12h). Antioch mint. Struck AD 244-245. IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS P F AVG P M, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter. RIC IV 69.

 

 

POST ANY FASCINATING PORTRAIT STYLES THAT HAVE FLOWN UNDER THE RADAR, OR ANY COINS YOU'VE BOUGHT "DOUBLES" OF BUT NOT DUE TO CONDITION!

Edited October 1, 2023 by Steppenfool

[Steppenfool]

 

Here's another "Cheekbone" in better condition and more imposing, from Den of Antiquity

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/den_of_antiquity/48/product/philip_i_ar_antoninianus_antioch_mint/1053256/Default.aspx

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Wow!  Perhaps he was a bit worse for wear when he returned from the Persian campaign?  That's quite interesting.  I wasn't aware of that variant.

 

[Steppenfool]

13 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Wow!  Perhaps he was a bit worse for wear when he returned from the Persian campaign?  That's quite interesting.  I wasn't aware of that variant.

I don't think the portrait type has ever been pointed out and defined in any catalogue. When it does appear for sale, the description often comments on the portrait as it certainly is compelling and leaves an impression.

Below is my Philip from the Rome mint, where he does appear to look like a native of Arabia. The nose is quite different from the Antioch portraits, although the heavy eyes are similar. You can still see the shame cheekbone shape, but he definitely looks a lot healthier.

Edited October 1, 2023 by Steppenfool

[hotwheelsearl]

Claudius also sometimes comes gaunt, and with a jawline that could cut steel.

[DonnaML]

57 minutes ago, hotwheelsearl said:

Claudius also sometimes comes gaunt, and with a jawline that could cut steel.

That jawline is snatched! I think he must have had chin liposuction.

None of my Philip I's has the lean and hungry look shown above, I'm afraid. In fact, I don't think I'd ever seen it before this thread. Very distinctive. Although I have a number that depict him with a prominent nose, such as this one:

Edited October 2, 2023 by DonnaML

[Al Kowsky]

The coinage of Philip I struck at the Rome mint are known for their realism, & the best examples from the Antioch mint can be very artistic. Pictured below are two examples I sold at auction.

                                                              Heritage Auction 3063, lot 33347, January 16-17, 2018

 

Antioch-Syria. Philip I, AD 244-249 (struck AD 247). Billon Tetradrachm: 10.55 gm, 26.60 mm, 7 h. Prieur 354. AMCC 3, lot 155. Photo by Thomas Callaway.

 

 

[Tejas]

I found this Philip Arabs Antoninian on Ebay, but I cannot really find this exact type in the literature. 

Obv.: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG

Rev.: FELICITAS TEMP

Mint: Rome

RIC --

 

RIC IV Philip I 87 lists this type only for Antiochia, but not for Rome

Online Coins of the Roman Empire: Browse Collection (numismatics.org)

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by Tejas