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At a glance, the style and fine details on this mint-state ancient coin compare favorably with the various denarii also featured on this Gallery Page that were contemporaneously struck in Rome. Upon further inspection, however, the current coin is quite distinct. For one thing, the lettering appears in Greek. In addition, this coin exhibits a larger surface area (by about 50%) and larger mass (about thrice) compared to a Roman denarius. Specifically, this specimen is a tetradrachm, a principal denomination used in the Syria province, even though the engraving and striking processes are intriguingly attributed to artisans working in the Eternal City’s mints.
This coin was struck under Roman Emperor Philip I (c. 204 – 249 AD, whose birthplace in the Roman province of Arabia earned him the nickname “the Arab”. Like his predecessors, Philip continued the practice of coinage debasement, i.e., the reduction of precious metal content by replacement with lower valued metals. Around this time, denarii silver content was down to about 40-50%, with the balance substituted mainly with copper, and to a lesser extent other metals such as lead and/or tin. Since contemporaneous denarii had a mass of about 4 g, their actual silver content was about 2 g. Contemporaneous tetradrachmae, whose average mass was about 12 g, comprised a silver content of about 17% at the time, again with the balance mainly copper. This translates to about 2 g of silver per tetradrachm, roughly the same as present in the contemporarily debased denarius, which makes sense considering that ancient sources cite a similar value for the two denominations. In actuality, however, the relative value of imperial and provincial Roman coinage at that time was highly problematic, due in part to the relative imbalance of the rate at which different denominations were debasing. Also adding to the confusion, dating back several decades earlier to the reign of Emperor Caracalla, was the introduction of the so-called double-denarius (we are not sure what name the ancient Romans actually used for it). In actuality, the double-denarius contained only about 1.5 times the silver content of two denarii – at least initially, until it lost further ground upon its own rapid debasement under various Roman Emperors.
Value equivalence aside, the tetradrachm’s larger flan compared to the denarius (or its not-really-double version) provided ancient coin engravers more freedom in executing their designs. The result is evident on this coin in the fine details of Philip’s obverse laureate, draped and cuirassed bust. There is also plenty of room for the encircling inscription ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ ϹƐΒ (in unabridged form: Aytokpαtωp Kαiσαρ Mαρcoc Ioyλioc Φiliππos cєβασtς) indicating “The Emperor Caesar Marcus Philippus Julius, August”.
Whereas the obverse design of this coin commands a very powerful presence, the reverse is even more remarkable. The reverse motif comprises an eagle, proudly displaying its wings and holding aloft a wreath in its formidable beak. The eagle stands within the inscription ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ (in unabridged form: Δημαρχ Εξουσιας) with the letters S and C under its wings, indicating that Augustus Philip is invested with the Tribunician power as decreed by Rome’s Senate. This reverse design effectively combines several key aspects of Roman power and influence. The wreath, especially a laurel wreath, was a traditional Roman symbol of victory, often awarded to successful military commanders, not to mention prize-winning poets and athletes. The eagle, known as the aquila, was the sacred standard of the Roman legions and represented the authority of the Emperor and the Empire itself. Importantly, the eagle was associated with Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods, symbolizing His protection and the divine right to rule claimed by Rome’s Emperors.
The reverse imagery of an eagle holding a wreath in its beak on provincial Syrian tetradrachmae dates back to Emperor Nero’s reign, reflecting the integration of the eastern provinces into the larger Roman Empire and the spread of Rome’s influence and culture. For Philip, reinforcing this message was of keen interest. After all, he ruled during Rome’s great Crisis of the Third Century, a period of significant economic turmoil, civil wars, foreign invasions, and a rapid succession of Emperors, many of whom fell at the hands of their own disaffected troops. Under such circumstances, it behooved Philip to have coins such as this one circulating at his realm’s fringes in order to advertise Roman military might, imperial legitimacy, and the blessings of the gods upon the Empire.
Most intriguing of all, the reverse of this coin features the letters MON VRB in exergue. These letters stand for
Moneta Urbis, Mint of the City. Careful scholarship reveals this to be a mintmark specific to Roman provincial tetradrachmae produced in the Empire’s capital city and then distributed in provincial Syria, for example the city of Anioch. This mintmark is apparently unique to a relatively limited issue of Syrian tetradrachms produced under Philip the Arab. The rationale for this decision is not certain, although several theories have been put forward. The most straightforward hypothesis is that the Syrian mints could not produce coins at a rate sufficient at the time to meet the local demand, and Rome’s mints had excess capacity. A more interesting theory relates to when Philip’s MON VRB coinage was produced. Typically, numismatic sources cite their production as occurring in the early years of Philip’s reign, circa 244-246 AD, based on certain aspects of the engraved obverse portraiture. However, more recent discussion centers around the possibility that MON VRB coins were struck late in Philip’s reign, circa 248 or 249 AD. This view follows from the observation that Rome’s mints first began to include mint officina numbers on double-denarii in 248 AD. This timing is also supported by the mass of the current coin combined with the established progression of Philip’s debasement of imperial denarii and provincial tetradrachmae – presuming an effort to maintain their equivalence. Interestingly, if it is correct that MON VRB coins were produced in 248 AD, on April 21 of that same year Philip hosted a supremely lavish celebration of Rome’s 1000th anniversary. With this event Philip intended to keep his citizens entertained and distracted as much as possible from the Empire’s woes. Perhaps he strove to extend the party and broadly as possible by even placing Rome’s mark on coins circulating at the Empire’s fringes?
Future research may one day shed light on the remaining questions regarding Philip’s MON VRB coinage. Meanwhile, we can at least confirm the Eternal City as the origin of this provincial Syrian tetradrachm, making it a unique and important addition to this NGC Custom Set focusing on the Roman Empire.
Additional Reading: DR Walker,
The Metrology of Roman Silver Coinage, in three volumes, 1976-7, BAR International Series; CM Kraay, “Notes on the early imperial tetradrachms of Syria,” 1965,
Revue Nunismatique, 7:58-68; HR Baldus, “MON(eta) URB(is) ‒ ANTIOXIA. Rom und Antiochia als Prägestätten syrischer Tetradrachmen des Philippus Arabs,” Frankfurt/Main, 1969.
Coin Details: SYRIA, ANTIOCH, Philip I (244-249 AD), BI Tetradrachm (13.22 g), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Struck in Rome circa 248 AD (?), Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ƐΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ Reverse: Eagle standing facing, head left, holding wreath in its beak, DEMARC EXOVCIAC, S C under wings, MON VRB in exergue. Greek letter Epsilon (5th office mark) over right wing, Reference: Prieur 309.
Image: Sony ɑ 7R Ⅴ camera / Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens.