Philip I

Marcus Julius Philippus

Augustus (AD 244-249)

Philip I, the Arab, did hail from Arabia and was Praetorian Prefect under his young Emperor Gordian III. Philip cleverly turned the mood of the troops against their emperor who was killed and Philip proclaimed in his place (AD 244). Philip quickly abandoned the war against Persia, seeking terms, and hurried back to Rome to consolidate his power. In Rome he stayed whilst appointing other men to deal with problems on the borders. He conferred the title of first Caesar, then Augustus on his young son, also called Philip, but he was never to succeed him. In AD 249 one of the commanders appointed by Philip, Decius, was hailed Emperor by the troops on the Danube, and in the ensuing war Philip lost. Both he and his son were executed and Decius became sole Emperor

Obverse Legends on coins depicting Philip I

For explanations of many of the abbreviations used in Roman imperial obverse legends, click here.

IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG
IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG PM
IMP CAES M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
IMP IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
IMP IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG
IMP IVL PHILIPPVS PIVS FEL AVG PM
IMP IVL PHILIPPVS PIVS FELIX AVG PM
IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG COS II
IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG
IMP PHILIPPVS AVG
M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG
M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG M IVL PHILIPPVS N C
M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG

Coins of Philip I currently available

	Philip I Silver antoninianus issued AD 245 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Radiate, draped bust facing right Rev: LIBERALITAS AVGG II, Liberalitas standing holding abacus and cornucopiae Good Very Fine \| AUD $135.00
	Philip I Silver antoninianus issued AD 245-247 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev: AEQVITAS AVGG, Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand Very Fine-Extremely Fine \| AUD $150.00
	Philip I, Viminacium Bronze AE29 issued AD 245 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Laureate, draped bust facing right Rev: PMS COL VIM, (AN VI in ex.), Moesia standing between bull and lion Fine-Very Fine \| AUD $110.00
	Philip I, Pisidia, Antioch Bronze AE26 issued AD 244-249 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILLIPVS PF AV, Radiate, draped bust facing right Rev: ANTIOCHI COLON, Vexillum between two standards Very Fine \| AUD $80.00
	Philip I, Syria, Antioch Bronze AE28 issued AD 249 Obv: [AVTOK K MA IOVA ΦI]ΛIΠΠOC CEB, Laureate draped bust facing right Rev: ANTIOXEΩN MHTPO KOΛΩ, Veiled and turreted bust of City Goddess right, ΔE, SC across Good Fine \| AUD $50.00

	Philip I Silver antoninianus issued AD 245 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Radiate, draped bust facing right Rev: LIBERALITAS AVGG II, Liberalitas standing holding abacus and cornucopiae Good Very Fine \| AUD $135.00
	Philip I Silver antoninianus issued AD 245-247 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev: AEQVITAS AVGG, Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand Very Fine-Extremely Fine \| AUD $150.00
	Philip I, Viminacium Bronze AE29 issued AD 245 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, Laureate, draped bust facing right Rev: PMS COL VIM, (AN VI in ex.), Moesia standing between bull and lion Fine-Very Fine \| AUD $110.00
	Philip I, Pisidia, Antioch Bronze AE26 issued AD 244-249 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILLIPVS PF AV, Radiate, draped bust facing right Rev: ANTIOCHI COLON, Vexillum between two standards Very Fine \| AUD $80.00
	Philip I, Syria, Antioch Bronze AE28 issued AD 249 Obv: [AVTOK K MA IOVA ΦI]ΛIΠΠOC CEB, Laureate draped bust facing right Rev: ANTIOXEΩN MHTPO KOΛΩ, Veiled and turreted bust of City Goddess right, ΔE, SC across Good Fine \| AUD $50.00