Ancient Roman Silver Coin of Emperor Philip I (Rome’s 1,000th Anniversary Emperor), NGC Certified

Own a Silver Coin from the Emperor Who Celebrated Rome's 1,000th Birthday

A real silver antoninianus of Philip the Arab — the emperor who negotiated peace with Persia after Gordian III's death, proclaimed his young son co-emperor to establish a dynasty, and presided over the most elaborate celebration in Roman history before being killed in battle by his own replacement. NGC certified.

From $143.00

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🎉 From the emperor who organized the Ludi Saeculares of AD 248 — Rome's spectacular millennial celebration of its 1,000th anniversary, the grandest festival in the city's history
🏛 Reverse depicts Pax, Annona, or Roman personifications of imperial virtue — stability projected by an emperor governing during the Crisis of the Third Century
🤲 Struck AD 244–249 — from the Arab-born general whose suspicious rise after Gordian III's death made him one of Rome's most debated rulers. NGC certified.

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

Philip I came from Arabia Petraea — modern Jordan — making him one of the most geographically diverse emperors in Roman history. He rose to the Praetorian Prefecture after the death of Timesitheus and was in command when Gordian III died in Mesopotamia in AD 244. Whether Philip engineered that death or merely benefited from it has been debated ever since — Roman sources are carefully ambiguous, a Sasanian inscription claims a Roman defeat, and Philip's subsequent rapid peace negotiations with Persia struck many contemporaries as suspiciously favorable to the enemy.

Whatever the circumstances of his rise, Philip governed effectively for five years. He negotiated an end to the Persian war, stabilized the Danubian frontier, and proclaimed his young son Philip II as co-emperor — the standard dynastic move of the era. His greatest moment came in AD 248, when he presided over the Ludi Saeculares — the Secular Games marking Rome's 1,000th anniversary. The celebrations were extraordinary — gladiatorial games, exotic animal hunts including hippos and rhinoceroses, theatrical performances, and religious ceremonies on a scale that Rome had not seen in generations. A thousand years of Roman civilization celebrated in a city that was simultaneously struggling to survive the worst crisis in its history.

The crisis caught up with him the following year. When troops on the Danube frontier revolted and proclaimed Trajan Decius emperor, Philip marched to meet him in battle at Verona in AD 249. He was killed in the fighting — and his young son Philip II was murdered by the Praetorian Guard in Rome on the same day. The Arab dynasty lasted exactly five years. This silver antoninianus, bearing his radiate portrait, circulated through all of it — including the millennial celebrations that marked the height of his reign. Certified by NGC.

Perfect for:

• Collectors of Crisis of the Third Century and Roman imperial silver antoniniani
• History lovers drawn to Philip the Arab, Rome's millennial anniversary, and the 3rd century's turbulent imperial succession
• Roman provincial emperor, radiate crown portrait, and NGC certified silver enthusiasts
• Anyone seeking a historically rich piece from the emperor who celebrated Rome's greatest birthday

What You'll Receive

• One authentic Roman silver antoninianus of Philip I
• Denomination: Antoninianus (billon silver — equivalent to 2 denarii)
• NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
• Struck AD 244–249 — similar to examples shown (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

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