![ROMAN. Philip I, Secular Games Antoninianus, 'VIRTVS AVGG' [ARI-224] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ARI-224-1.jpg)
Description
Roman Empire, Mārcus Iūlius Philippus ‘Arabs’ (Philip I ‘the Arab’), Roman Emperor of the Third Century Crisis 244-249 AD, Silver Antoninianus (3.71g, 22mm), Rome mint 248 AD, Lūdī Saeculārēs (Secular Games) issue, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Rome. Obverse: Radiate-crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I facing to the right, legend surrounds, “IMP PHILIPPVS AVG”. Reverse: Philip I and Philip II each on horseback to the right, raising one hand and holding spear in the other, “Є” in field below, legend surrounds, “VIRTVS AVGG”. RIC-10; RSC-241; Sear-8976. Deeply toned with hints of underlying brilliance, choicely struck either side and largely complete in strike, Extremely Fine, moderately scarce secular issue.
The Lūdī Saeculārēs (“Century/Generation 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 Secular games issues offer a challenging yet highly interesting collecting theme with a specific set of designs and number of varieties.
