271, Lot: 360. Estimate $150. Sold for $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARABIA, Philippopolis. Otacilia Severa. Augusta, AD 244-249. Æ (30mm, 19.83 g, 6h). Struck at Antioch, circa 247-249. Diademed and draped bust right / Roma or Allat seated left on shield, holding two figures (Divus Marinus, the grandfather of Philip II, and his deified wife?) standing on eagle in outstretched right hand and spear in left. Spijkerman 5; SNG ANS -; K. Butcher, “Two Related Coinages of the Third Century AD; Philippopolis and Samosata,” INJ 9 (1986-7), 9. VF, dark green patina, earthen highlights.

The neat fabric of Philippopolis’ coins is quite out of place for Arabia. This, combined with obverse die links with Zeugma and Antioch point to production at a central location, with Antioch being the most likely place.

Meshorer identified the figures on the eagle of this type as the Dioscuri, but as the eagle was the standard vehicle to the heavens for deified members of the imperial family (the peacock more so for women when depicted alone), it is equally likely that they are meant to show the consecrated parents of Philip I.