Rare and very nice antoninian of Philip I Arab minted in Antioch (today Antakya) in 244 or 245, marked as Scarce in the RIC catalog.
Offered specimen deserves your attention for several reasons, first of all because of the very extensive title of the obverse, unprecedented in issues from Rome. Secondly, it comes from the mint in Antioch, where production under Philip the Arab was much lower than in Rome. Thirdly, the reverse carries a unique legend commemorating the peace treaty concluded in 244 with the Sassanid Persian state, which in fact was not a great success for Rome, because Rome had to agree to surrender Armenia to the Persian influence, as well as pay a significant contribution. Nevertheless as the offered coin shows, this compromise at best was presented as a success of the new emperor.
Roman Imperial
Philip I (244-249), Antoninianus 244-245, Rome mint
Obverse: radiate and draped bust right
IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS P F AVG P M
Reverse: Pax standing left, holding twig and scepter
PAX FVNDATA CVM PERSIS
Weight 4.4 g
