CLARK COLLECTION OF ANCIENT ART:

ANCIENT COINS (111 through 120)

EC.72.111
Denomination: sestertius
Date: c. 244-249 CE
Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Philip I ("Philip the Arab")
Inscription: IMP M IUL PHILIPPUS AUG
Supplied: Imperator Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus
Translated: Emperor Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus

Reverse: Standing Aeternitas holding a branch and a sceptre
Inscription: ...AET...SC
Supplied: Aeternitas Senatus Consulto
Translated: Aeternitas. By decree of the Senate
Weight: 16 g

EC.72.112
Denomination: sestertius
Date: 248 CE
Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Philip I ("Philip the Arab")
Inscription: IMP M IUL PHILIPPUS
Supplied: Imperator Marcus Iulius Philippus
Translated: Emperor Marcus Julius Philippus

Reverse: Deer-like animal
Inscription: SAECUL...AUGG
Supplied: Saeculares Augusti
Translated: Saecular Games of Augustus
Notes: This type forms part of a special coinage issued in connection with the celebration of the Saecular Games in 248 to mark the thousandth anniversary of the foundation of Rome.
For similar coin types see R. A. G. Carson, Principal Coins of the Romans, Vol. II: The Principate 31 BC-AD 296 (London 1980) 96 ns. 793, 796.
Weight: 13 g

EC.72.113
Denomination: sestertius
Date: c. 244-249 CE
Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Philip I ("Philip the Arab")
Inscription: IMP M IUL PHILIPPUS AUG
Supplied: Imperator Marcus Iulius Philippus Augustus
Translated: Emperor Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus

Reverse: Column inscribed COS. III.
Inscription: SAECULARES AUGG SC
Supplied: Saeculares Augusti Senatus Consulto
Translated: Saecular Games of Augustus. By decree of the Senate
Notes: See EC.72.112
Weight: 10 g

EC.72.114
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 244-249 CE
Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Philip I ("Philip the Arab")
Inscription: IMP M IUL PHILIPPUS
Supplied: Imperator Marcus Iulius Philippus
Translated: Emperor Marcus Julius Philippus
Notes: "Philip I ruled from 244-249 CE. While he was emperor, he restored the Senate's power and depended upon their authority, unlike many of the rulers before him. During his short reign, he instilled ideas of justice, freedom, and order throughout the empire. Philip was a good leader of the Roman army, and was honored with the titles 'Germanicus Maximus' and 'Carpicus Maximus' after defeating the Germans and the Carpians. He was also recognized as one of the earliest emperors to tolerate Christians. Philip was killed in battle against the legions of the Danube in October of 249 CE." -Aaron Ziesch, Class of 2002

Reverse: Standing Aequitas holding scales and a cornucopia
Inscription: AEQUITAS AUG
Supplied: Aequitas Augusti
Translated: The equity of Augustus
Weight: 3 g

EC.72.115
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 247-249 CE
Obverse: Crowned head (of Philip II?) facing right
Inscription: M IUL PHILIPPUS
Supplied: Marcus Iulius Philippus
Translated: Marcus Julius Philippus

Reverse: Man holding a long spear in left hand and object in right
Inscription: PRINCIP IUU...
Translated: The leader of youth?
Weight: 3 g

EC.72.116
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 267-268 CE
Obverse: Bearded, laureate head of Gallienus facing right
Inscription: ...LIEN...
Supplied: Gallienus Augustus
Notes: "Gallienus was pronounced co-emperor by his father Valerian I in 253 CE, immediately after Valerian I became emperor. Gallienus spent most of his time in war fighting Rome's enemies in Persia, Gaul, Egypt, and all along the Danube. Gallienus changed the format of the Roman armies and made mounted cavalry a major part, increasing the army's speed and mobility in attacks. His choice of generals was not very good, and his own military decisions left a lot to be desired. Gallienus was blamed for taking Roman armies into battles that held little benefit for Rome. While he was often victorious, he was not liked, and was murdered by his own officers. His decisions were blamed for the terrible economic problems that Rome experienced during his reign." -Robert Antholine, Class of 1999

Reverse: Panther facing left
Inscription: ...O P CONS AUG...
Supplied: Libero Pantherino Consevator Augusti
Translated: To Liber Pantherinus Preserver of Augustus
Notes: For the same coin reverse see R. A. G. Carson, Principal Coins of the Romans, Vol. II: The Principate 31 BC-AD 296 (London 1980) 110 n. 876. Weight: 2 g

EC.72.117
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 253-268 CE
Obverse: Bearded, crowned head of Gallienus facing right
Inscription: GALLI...
Supplied: Gallienus Augustus

Reverse: Faint female figure
Inscription: worn off
Weight: 2 g

EC.72.118
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 253-268 CE
Obverse: Bearded, crowned head of Gallienus facing right
Inscription: ...ALLIENUS AU...
Supplied: Gallienus Augustus

Reverse: Faint figure
Inscription: worn off
Weight: 2 g

EC.72.119
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 253-268 CE
Obverse: Crowned head of Gallienus facing right
Inscription: GALLIENUS AUG
Supplied: Gallienus Augustus
Notes: "Gallienus was a Roman emperor during the third century, a time of so many rebellions that sometimes the record of an emperor's reign is best documented through coins. Along with other emperors between the years 253 and 268 CE, his reign was short. Another coin with Gallienus includes the phrase 'Restorer of the World,' revealing that Gallienus had strived to settle the rebellions in Rome at the time." -Tom Story, Class of 2001

Reverse: A goat
Inscription: IOVI CONS AUG SC
Supplied: Iovi Conservator Augusti Senatus Consulto
Translated: To Jove Preserver of Augustus. By decree of the Senate
Notes: See EC.72.116 Weight: 3 g

EC.72.120
Denomination: antoninianus
Date: c. 254-268 CE
Obverse: Head of Salonina facing right
Inscription: SALONINA AUG
Supplied: Salonina Augusta
Notes: "Salonina was the wife of emperor Gallienus, and lived during a time called the 'crisis of the 3rd century.' During this time Rome went through many political and economic disasters, from which it never really recovered. Coins issued in the early years of this period were made with about 40 percent silver. The later coins of this period had no silver and were made very poorly. This led to an enormous financial collapse in Rome." -Robert Antholine, Class of 1999

Reverse: Venus
Inscription: VENUS VICTRIX
Translated: Venus Victorious
Weight: 3 g

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Please email Professor Eddie Lowry with any questions or comments.