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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.
You wouldn’t be able to guess his age by the obverse portrait of this coin, which is a billon tetradrachm produced at Antioch, Syria. It was struck there probably in 249 AD, and depicts co-Emperor Philip II (with all associated laureate, drapery and cuirass trappings) as a young man, looking much like his father; earlier coins (minted when he was Caesar) present a much more boyish visage.
Very little is known about Philip II’s 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 Decius the 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: SYRIA, ANTIOCH, Philip II (247-249 AD), BI Tetradrachm (26 mm, 10.74 g), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, AYTOK K M IOYLI FILIPPOC CEB, Reverse: Eagle standing right, wings spread, head right, tail left, DHMAPX EXO, Reference: Prieur 410.