PHILIP II
AD 247-249
AR Tetradrachm. 12.48g, 27.8mm
MINTED: SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch, AD 247
REF: Prieur 393-4; McAlee 1017
OBVERSE: ΜΑΡ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ ΚΕϹΑΡ; bare-headed and draped bust right, seen from rear.
REVERSE: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ ΥΠΑ ΤΟ Γ, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ, S C; eagle standing left, head right, spreading wings, holding wreath in beak.
 
Notes:
Toned slightly textured surfaces.  A hefty billon (alloyed silver) tetradrachm.
 
Historical Notes:
Antioch on the Orontes River (modern day Antakya, Turkey) was a great city in the Roman province of Syria. It was built by Seleukos I, one of Alexander the Great's generals, and founder of the Seleukid Empire after the latter's death. It occupied an enviable position on the ancient Silk Road trading route and was the third most important city in the Empire, after Alexandria in Egypt and Rome itself. The city also played an important role in early Christian history, and it was at Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first referred to as Christians.