PHILIP I THE ARAB AD 244-249 AR Antoninianus. 3.72g, 23.6mm MINTED: Rome mint, AD 244-247 REF: RIC IV 29 OBVERSE: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. REVERSE: ANNONA AVGG, Annona standing left, holding corn-ears in right hand over prow and cornucopiae in left hand.

Notes:

Nicely toned. Struck on an oval flan with a somewhat worn reverse die.

Historical Notes:

Philip I is commonly known as 'the Arab' for being born to the family of a nobleman in the province of Arabia Petraea.  He was appointed Praetorian Prefect in 243, and when the young emperor Gordian III was killed the following year while on campaign against the Persians, Philip went on to claim the throne.  A number of sources implicate Philip in the death of Gordian.  Ironically, it was this 'foreign' emperor who presided over the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Rome's founding in 248.