Philip I Silver Antoninianus RIC IV Philip I 38B

Monetary Context and Denominational Setting

During the mid-third century AD, the Roman monetary system was dominated by the radiate silver coin conventionally termed the antoninianus or double denarius. First introduced under Caracalla in AD 215, the coin had become the primary transactional vehicle for imperial expenditures, military payrolls, and donative distributions by the reign of Philip the Arab (AD 244-249). The denomination legally tariffed at two standard denarii despite containing silver intrinsic value equivalent to only about one and a half denarii. Under Philip I, the intrinsic silver content continued its downward trajectory, typically maintaining a fineness of roughly 40% to 45% silver mixed with copper, alongside occasional surface enrichment during blank preparation. The type designated as RIC IV Philip I 38B belongs to the commemorative program celebrating the emperor's second largesse (Liberalitas), an essential civic and military donative calculated to secure loyalty across the capital and legions following the death of Gordian III and the establishment of the new dynasty.

Mint Production and Workshop Operations

Production of RIC IV Philip I 38B was assigned exclusively to the primary imperial mint at Rome. During Philip's reign, the Rome mint was organized into distinct officinae or workshops, commonly numbering six for the primary imperial coinage. Striking techniques relied on round cast blanks formed from debased silver alloy, often struck in rapid succession to satisfy immediate state liquidity demands. Consequently, while dies were cut with competent imperial portrait styles, striking anomalies such as slight die axis variation, irregular planchet edges, and minor off-center impressions are frequently observed. The reverse die style for Liberalitas exhibits the standardized linear drapery and formal posture characteristic of the Rome mint's central workshops, distinguishing its output from the concurrent eastern issues struck at Antioch.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Representation

The obverse design of RIC IV Philip I 38B presents the right-facing bust of Philip the Arab. In accordance with the established visual convention for the double denarius denomination, the emperor wears a solar radiate crown over short, cropped hair rendered in compact, naturalistic locks. The bust is dressed in both military cuirass and paludamentum (drapery), visible around the neck and across the shoulders, projecting an image combining civil administrative authority with military command. His facial features follow the mature, broad-jawed portrait style favored by Rome mint die engravers during the early to middle years of his reign, displaying furrowed brows and a close-cropped beard typical of the soldier-emperor aesthetic.

Reverse Design and the Personification of Largesse

The reverse iconography centers on Liberalitas, the divine personification of imperial generosity and systematic gift distributions. Liberalitas is shown draped in a long stola, standing and facing left. In her right hand, she elevates an abacus (also interpreted by numismatists as a counting board or tessera fitted with slots for rapid distribution of coins or tokens). In her left arm, she cradles a full cornucopiae, symbolic of universal abundance and the material prosperity generated by the imperial house. This design visually substantiated the emperor's fulfillment of his civic promises to the Roman populace and praetorian units following his accession.

Inscriptions and Epigraphic Analysis

The legends on this type adhere strictly to formulaic imperial Latin titulature and state proclamations. The obverse reads IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, expanding to 'Imperator Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus'. This legend establishes his supreme military imperium, his family name, and the formal title of Augustus without specific annual offices such as consulships or tribunician years. The reverse legend reads LIBERALITAS AVGG II, expanding to 'Liberalitas Augustorum II'. The double 'G' in AVGG signals the shared dignity of the Augusti, associating Philip the Arab with his son Philip II, while the Roman numeral II designates this emission as celebrating the second official largitio of the reign.

Typology and Chronological Classification

Within the typology of Roman Imperial Coinage, type 38B represents the specific radiate variant bearing the draped and cuirassed obverse bust combined with the second Liberalitas reverse. It is catalogued distinct from RIC IV Philip I 38A, which presents an alternate bust configuration. Struck within the window of AD 244 to AD 247, the issue marks the period leading up to or coinciding with the elevate of Philip II to co-Augustus in AD 247. Because the obverse lacks specific tribunician numbers, internal dating relies primarily on numismatic sequences established through die studies and recorded historical donatives commemorated under the dynasty.

Circulation, Hoard Evidence, and Survival

Like most mid-third-century radiates from the Rome mint, coins of RIC IV Philip I 38B circulated extensively throughout Roman territories, from Britain and Gaul to the Danubian and eastern frontiers. Hoard evidence from Western Europe, such as the massive Dorchester and Normanby hoards, confirms that antoniniani of Philip the Arab stayed in active circulation alongside earlier Severan silver and later emissions of Decius and Valerian. Their presence in hoards buried well into the AD 260s and 270s illustrates that these coins were not quickly hoarded out of circulation upon issue, but rather endured substantial wear until the severe hyper-debasements of Gallienus altered the monetary landscape.

References

1. The Roman Coin Hoards of the Third Century AD. pp. 112-128
2. Roman Coins from the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Western Empire. pp. 125-135
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Philip I 38B. Type Record ric.4.ph_i.38B
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. IV, Part III: Gordian III - Uranius Antoninus. pp. 71-73, no. 38B