ARABIA, Philippopolis. Otacilia Severa. Augusta, AD 244-249. Æ (27mm, 17.45 g, 5h). Struck at Antioch, circa 247-249.

Electronic Auction 500
Lot: 647. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ARABIA, Philippopolis. Otacilia Severa. Augusta, AD 244-249. Æ (27mm, 17.45 g, 5h). 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 an eagle in outstretched right hand and spear with left. Spijkerman 5; SNG ANS –; K. Butcher, “Two Related Coinages of the Third Century AD; Philippopolis and Samosata,” INJ 9 (1986-7), 9. Dark green-brown patina with some light earthen highlights/deposits and minor roughness. Near VF.

From the Father & Son Collection.

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.

Closing Date and Time: 22 September 2021 at 13:35:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.