Roman Sestertius - Philip II - 244-247 AD - RIC 256

Description

Roman Sestertius - Philip II - 244-247 AD - RIC 256.
A beautiful, heavy, bronze Roman Sestertius
Weight: 21gm
Obverse: M IVL PHILIPVS CAES, Head of Emperor, bare-headed, draped, right-facing
Reverse: PRINCIPI IVVENT, Emperor, in military attire, standing, right-facing, holding vertical spear in left hand, and globe in right-hand; across left and right fields, S-C
Marcus Julius Philippus (also known as Philippus II, Philip II, and Philip the Younger) was the son of the Roman Emperor Philip I ("the Arab). Later, he became Consul and then Augustus and co-ruler with his father. The legend on the reverse of this coin is "Principi Ivvent" which translated, means "the Prince of Youth". This is an accurate description for Philip II who never made it past his 12th year dying in his mother's arms, murdered by the Praetorian Guard on learning of his father's death in battle to Trajan Decius.