Crawford 293/1

Moneyer: L. Philippus, 113-112 BC

Denomination: Denarius

Obverse: Head of Philip V of Macedon to right, wearing diademed royal Macedonian helmet adorned with two goat horns; behind, monogram of ROMA; below chin, Φ.

Reverse:  Equestrian statue, holding branch, set to right on raised tablet inscribed L•PHILIPPVS; below horse, flower; in exergue, star (mark of value).

Reference: Crawford 293/1

Mint: Rome

Weight: 

Provenance:  Auktion Numismatik Lanz 147, München 2009, Nr. 198.

Notes:

This is the first Republican coin to portray a historical figure, namely Philip V of Macedon (221-179 BC), who signed a treaty of friendship in 183 BC with the moneyer's ancestor Quintus Marcius Philippus, the consul of 186 BC.

The image of Philip V of Macedon was a clear reminder of Rome's victories and gains in the Syrian war. Through the usual practice of puns (kalambury) on republican coins, the moneyer here utilized Philip to further allude to his own cognomen, Philippus.

Collection : 16 Roman Republic