Philip I “The Arab” AR Antoninianus – Sacrificing Over Altar, Antioch, AD 249 M78

An attractive Roman Imperial antoninianus of Philip I, known as Philip the Arab, issued at Antioch during the final year of his reign in AD 249.

The obverse carries a strong mature portrait of Philip I facing right, wearing the radiate crown that identifies the antoninianus denomination. His draped and cuirassed bust is surrounded by the imperial legend:

IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG

The reverse shows Philip I standing left beside an altar, performing a sacrifice with his extended right hand while holding a long sceptre in the other. Around the scene appears:

P M TR P VI COS P P

This reverse records Philip’s sixth tribunician power and belongs to his final issue of AD 249. The type is catalogued as RIC IV 79a / RSC 156.

Your specimen has particularly pleasing detail in the imperial portrait and a clearly identifiable sacrificial scene. The surfaces show an old green-brown patina and some roughness, with portions of the legends affected by circulation and the irregular flan.

Emperor: Philip I “The Arab”
Reign: AD 244–249
Date: AD 249
Mint: Antioch
Denomination: Antoninianus
Metal: Silver / billon
Obverse: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I right
Legend: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
Reverse: Philip I standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding sceptre
Reverse legend: P M TR P VI COS P P
Reference: RIC IV 79a; RSC 156