Description
Marcus Julius Philippus, Roman Emperor from 244-249 AD, Æ Sestertius (16.65g, 27mm), Rome mint 248 AD, Lūdī Saeculārēs (Secular Games) issue, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Rome. Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I ‘the Arab’ facing to the right, legend surrounds, “IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG”. Reverse: Octastyle temple of Roma with statue of Roma within, “SC” in exergue, legend surrounds, “SAECVLVM NOVVM”. RIC-164; Cohen-201; Sear-9015. A bounced die on the reverse, easily overlooked when appreciating the bold and sharp portraiture this piece offers, well struck with all obverse legend present and nice surfaces, a very admirable Secular games sestertius, near Extremely Fine, reverse good Very Fine.
The Lūdī Saeculārēs (Century/Generation – Secular Games) was a Roman religious celebration of 3 days and nights celebrating the end of a saeculum (literally “generation/lifetime” in Latin, either 100- or 110-year period), and under Claudius I the games were held in 47 AD to celebrate the 800th year from the foundation of Rome. Following this precedent, the Secular Games of 148 AD under Antoninus Pius and 248 under Philip I ‘the Arab’ (the presented example here) celebrated the 900th and 1000th year anniversaries of Rome’ foundation respectively.
The obverse Latin legend reads “Imperātor Mārcus Iūlius Philippus Augustus”, naming the emperor’s regnal name. The reverse Latin legend reads “saeculum novum”, with an English translation of “A new age/century”.
