RIC IV Philip I 21

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

RIC IV Philip I 21. Denomination: Antoninianus. Authority: Philip the Arab. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Philip the Arab, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP PHILIPPVS AVG.

The reverse shows antelope, walking left, with the legend SAECVLARES AVGG. The obverse shows bust of Philip the Arab, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP PHILIPPVS AVG. The reverse shows antelope, walking left, with the legend SAECVLARES AVGG.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources: 2
Photograph views: 5
Catalogue references: 1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Philip I, commonly known as Philip the Arab, was Roman emperor from 244 to 249. Proclaimed emperor after the death of Gordian III, Philip negotiated peace with the Sasanian Empire and secured confirmation from the Senate in Rome. Although his five-year reign took place amid the crisis of the third century, he successfully repelled an incursion by the Carpi across the Danube in 246.

Struck at the Rome mint, this silver antoninianus belongs to the series issued during Philip's reign. The denomination was first introduced by Caracalla in 215 as a coin valued at two denarii, distinguished by the radiate crown worn by the emperor. In 248, Philip commemorated the first millennium of Rome with extensive festivals and games. This piece reflects these celebrations, bearing the reverse legend "SAECVLARES AVGG" alongside the depiction of a walking antelope, paired with the obverse legend "IMP PHILIPPVS AVG".

Physical characteristics

Material: Silver
Denomination: Antoninianus

Technical characteristics

Mint: Rome
Authority: Philip the Arab

Design

Obverse: Bust of Philip the Arab, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse: Antelope, walking left
Obverse legend: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG
Reverse legend: SAECVLARES AVGG

Identification

Type reference: RIC IV Philip I 21
Denomination and metal: Antoninianus, Silver
Obverse legend to match: IMP PHILIPPVS AVG
Reverse legend to match: SAECVLARES AVGG
Source note: Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary. Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination: Recorded
Issue or mint date: Recorded
Material: Recorded
Weight: Research required
Mint or printer: Recorded
Mint or printer mark: Research required
Catalogue reference: Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights): Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

RIC / OCREric.4.ph_i.21

Research required

Editorial verification required.
Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.

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Real-object photographs

obverse

Obverse photograph of University of Graz specimen inventory 1192, assigned by Nomisma/OCRE to ric.4.ph_i.21 and checked against the museum RIC citation. One specimen only; dies, wear and individual measurements may differ. This photograph does not authenticate other objects.

Photograph credit: Institute of Ancient History and Classical Antiquities, University of Graz; GAMS Numis collection. Individual photographer not stated.

Licence: Rights clearance pending — image reuse permission not recorded; public availability is not permission.

Source object page

specimen

Specimen photograph of this coin type

Photograph credit: American Numismatic Society (OCRE partner collection)

Licence: Free to use with attribution — source credit required

Source object page

Obverse

Museum specimen photograph (obverse view) for this coinage type; other examples and varieties remain Research Required.

Photograph credit: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Licence: Rights clearance pending — source copyright/reuse terms require confirmation; not cleared for publication

Source object page

reverse

Reverse photograph of University of Graz specimen inventory 1192, assigned by Nomisma/OCRE to ric.4.ph_i.21 and checked against the museum RIC citation. One specimen only; dies, wear and individual measurements may differ. This photograph does not authenticate other objects.

Photograph credit: Institute of Ancient History and Classical Antiquities, University of Graz; GAMS Numis collection. Individual photographer not stated.

Licence: Rights clearance pending — image reuse permission not recorded; public availability is not permission.

Source object page

Reverse

Museum specimen photograph (reverse view) for this coinage type; other examples and varieties remain Research Required.

Photograph credit: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Licence: Rights clearance pending — source copyright/reuse terms require confirmation; not cleared for publication

Source object page

Source library & references

Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
American Numismatic Society and ISAW, New York University · American Numismatic Society
Tier 1 · type corpus
Direct type reference: https://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.ph_i.21. September 2026 expansion; editorial review pending.
Wikipedia — the free encyclopedia
Wikimedia Foundation
Tier 4 · online encyclopedia
Background article(s): Philip the Arab (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_Arab); Antoninianus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoninianus)

Related records

Last revised 2026-10-25. This entry documents a catalogue type or documented example, not an item for sale. It carries no valuation.