Philip I AD 244-249 Silver Antoninianus

Philip I 244-249AD Silver Antoninianus, Tranquillitas standing, TRANQVILLITAS

20x22mm, 5.02g

Philip was born around AD 204 and was the son of an Arab chieftain named Marinus who attained Roman equestrian rank. Philip also joined the military where he achieved high rank during Gordian’s eastern campaign against the Sasanids. Although he was implicated in the sudden death of Timesitheus he was appointed praetorian prefect in place of the emperor’s father in law. It soon became clear that he wished for the throne himself as he set about undermining the young emperor. The emperor was duly deposed by the army and killed. Proclaimed emperor by the army Philip was keen to return to Rome. A peace was quickly agreed with Shapur and the Sasanids. Philip was granted the title Persicus Maximus.
Upon his return to Rome Philip’s wife Otacilia was given the rank Augusta whilst his son, also Philip, was created Caesar. Much of the next few years was spent campaigning in Germany and in AD 247 Philip was granted a triumph in Rome. His son was elevated to co emperor and in AD 248 Games were held to celebrate the millennium of the capital. Later that year there was an uprising in Moesia which was headed by the usurpers Pacatian and Jopapian both of who were declared emperor. Although neither uprising was successful when Trajan Decius was sent with the army to Moesia the army declared for commander to appointed emperor in place of Philip. Although reputedly reluctant to accept this honour Trajan Decius marched back to Italy where he beat Philip in battle at Verona in which both Philip and his son were killed.
A feature of the antoniniani issued during the reign is the appearance of officina marks in the Rome mint indicating that coins were issued from a number of workshops within the city. This practice later spread to other mints throughout the empire.