015 Philip II Seacvlares

Ruler: Philipp II,  (247-249 AD)

Denomination: Sestertius

Obverse: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG S C, Goat or Elk advancing left.

Mint: Rome, 248 AD

Weight: 

Diameter: 

Reference: RIC 264a.

Provenance: ex Auction Gorny Mosh 186, München 2010, lot Nr 2222. (hammer 325 EUR)

Note:  

SAECVLARES AVGG series is one of the most avidly collected series of coins of the 3rd Century which was issued by Philip I, his wife Otacilia Severa, and their son Philip II, for the thousandth anniversary of Rome’s foundation.

Though archaeological evidence shows the hills of Rome were settled at least two centuries before the foundation date of 753 B.C. set by the sage Varro, the Romans considered that date gospel. The close of the millennium occurred in the unsettling year 248, when four separate rebellions broke within the ranks of the army. However, none of them could lure Philip from the capital, where he initiated celebrations (ludi saeculares; "igrzyska stulecia") on April 21, and where he remained to witness the millenary games later in the year.

Public games and celebrations (ludi saeculares; "igrzyska stulecia") were accompanied by an ornamental series of coins in all metals inscribed SAECVLARES AVGG, MILIARIVM SAECVLVM and SAECVLVM NOVVM. Other coins inscribed AETERNITAS AVGG and ROMAE AETERNAE bear general relevance to the celebration.

The reverse types are varied and exotic: a lion, gazelle, antelope, goat, stag, hippopotamus and elephant all relate to the games; the she-wolf and twins, the temple of Roma, and a low column (or cippus) relate to the event in general and represent a new age.

Unfortunately, the new age ushered in with the games was not happier, safer or more prosperous, but more tragic, violent and unsettled.

Collection : 30 Roman Sestertii, asses and dupondii