Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 1017. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHILIP I, with OTACILIA SEVERA, and PHILIP II. 244-249 AD. AR Antoninianus, in contemporary gold bezel (9.04 gm, including bezel). Struck 247 AD. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / PIETAS AVGG, bare-headed and draped bust of Philip II and diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa, vis-à-vis. RIC IV 43b; cf. Pink III, pg. 32 (248 AD); RSC 4. Toned VF. Extremely rare. ($2500)

In 247 AD, Philip I elevated his young son to the rank of Augustus. Though Philip II was still a boy, this act served two important imperial functions: it established a clear dynastic link and promoted a sense of stability as Rome neared its millenial anniversary. The reverse, which diplays not only the younger Philip, but also his mother Otacilia Severa, is a standard type. While the AVGG places the coin squarely within the period subsequent to Philp II's promotion, his issues as Augustus clearly show him either laureate or radiate; here he remains as Caesar with a bare head. Such a fact, then, must argue for this coin to have been struck immediately after the younger Philip's promotion in 247 AD. The PIETAS in the reverse legend emphasizes the fulfilment of imperial duty by the establishment of a dynasty, an event compounded in its importance by its proximity to Rome's anniversary.