Philip II, as Emperor, 247-249, Tetradrachm

Philip II, Tetradrachm, AR, Emperor AD 247–249, Antioch, AD 247–249; 12.21 g; 26 mm. Obv. ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ ϹΕΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ ΥΠΑ ΤΟ Δ; eagle standing facing, wings spread, wreath in beak; ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ below; S C in exergue. Struck at Antioch on the standard provincial tetradrachm module of the mid-3rd century with Greek imperial titulature and the senatorial formula on reverse. RPC VIII Online, unassigned (ID 29067).

Issued after Philip II’s elevation to Augustus in AD 247, this Antiochene tetradrachm represents the principal silver coinage of Roman Syria during his brief co-rule with Philip I. The use of Greek legends, the mint-name ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ, and the inclusion of S C reflect the hybrid provincial-imperial status of these eastern issues, which circulated alongside imperial antoniniani. The reverse legend records the emperor’s tribunician power and consulship in Greek, aligning local currency with formal Roman titulature while serving the regional economy of the eastern provinces.