AD 247-249 Roman Provincial Philip II Billon Tetradrachm Antioch NGC Mint State

Philip II (Marcus Julius Philippus Severus) served as co-emperor alongside his father, Philip I "the Arab," from AD 247 until his death in AD 249. This billon tetradrachm was struck at the important provincial mint of Antioch in the Roman province of Seleucis and Pieria, a region that had served as a critical economic crossroads linking Mediterranean trade with the overland caravan routes of Arabia and the Silk Road. Antioch's mint produced large quantities of billon tetradrachms during the third century, and issues bearing the portrait of the young Philip II represent a brief but historically significant chapter in the turbulent succession politics of the era. This example has been certified by NGC Ancients.

The obverse features a laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Philip II facing right, surrounded by a Greek legend. The portrait presents the youthful features of the young emperor in a style characteristic of the Antioch mint's skilled engravers, with well-defined drapery folds and a clearly rendered laurel wreath. The reverse displays a large eagle standing with wings spread, holding a wreath in its beak, with "ANTIOXIA" and "S C" (Senatus Consulto) in the exergue — a standard reverse type for Antiochene provincial coinage of the period.

Graded Mint State by NGC Ancients, this tetradrachm exhibits strong device definition on both sides, with bold detail in the eagle's plumage and well-preserved portrait features. The surfaces carry an appealing silvery tone consistent with the billon alloy composition. Provincial tetradrachms of the third century have attracted growing collector interest as affordable entries into the Roman Imperial period, and Mint State examples offer particularly strong detail and visual appeal. We have several examples available similar to the coin pictured; the exact coin shipped may vary.