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Philip II (238–249) was the son of the Roman Emperor Philip I the Arab and Empress Marcia Otacilia Severa. Soon after Philip I’s ascension in 244 AD he declared his son as heir, and, after military successes along the northern borders a couple years later, as co-Emperor. Philip II was no more than ten years old at the time.
This coin was struck around 245 AD while Philip II was still Caesar, and not yet elevated to Augustus (hence the obverse epithet M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES). The portrait is an interesting one, presenting a boyish yet determined Caesar. On the reverse, rather than a Roman god or goddess we see Philip II himself, in military dress, and holding a spear in one hand the globe in another. The message here is clear - the boy Caesar is being groomed to rule in his father's footsteps.
As one considers the coin's portrayal, one can only wonder what young Philip thought about his lot. Actually, very little is known about his life and reign, and no wonder since it was brief and he had little, if anything, to do with governance. Before he would become a teenager, his father was killed as the legions revolted and named Trajan Decius their new Emperor. Philip II was not forgotten, however; when the news reached Rome, the Praetorian Guard killed the young co-Emperor as he clung to his Mother Severa.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Philip II, As Caesar, AD 244-247, AR Antoninianus (22mm, 4.01 g, 7h), Rome mint, 3rd officina, 4th emission of Philip I, AD 245, NGC Grade: Ch MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Radiate and draped bust right, M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, Reverse: Philip II in military dress, standing right, holding spear and globe, PRINCIPI IVVENT, References: RIC 216c; RSC 54.