Philip I - Roma Aeterna Temple

November 2024

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Philip I, "The Arab", antoninianus of Antioch mint. "SAECVLVM NOVVM", New Saeculum celebrates the 1000th Anniversary of Rome and the new millennium. OB: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG; Rx: SAECVLVM NOVVM; Hexastyle temple of Roma Aeterna w/ 6 columns and a seated figure of Roma Aeterna. Coin is EF and very clear in all it's details and very scarce as such. 3.55 g at ~23mm. RIC 86b R-2, SR-8963v, sim. to C198 & S2474. Rosenblum 43a, Lot #132.
The reverse depicts the double temple of Venus and Roma, designed by Hadrian, the largest and most splendid temple in Rome, finished by Antoninus Pius sometime between 140 and 145. Damaged by fire in 307, the temple was restored "in magnificent manner" by Maxentius (Aurelius Victor, De Caesaribus, XL). When Constantius visited Rome fifty years later, the so-called Temple of the City was one of the sights that he most admired (Ammianus, History, XVI.10.14). In 625, Pope Honorius received a special dispensation from Heraclius to strip the gilded bronze roof tiles for the repair of St. Peter's. During a twelve-day visit to Rome in 663, Constans II stripped it of its remaining bronze ornaments. It was damaged by an earthquake in 847. Later a church was built in the ruins. I also have the Sestertius of Philip I with Temple reverse and SAECVLVM NOVVM; 28.37 mm & 16.14 g, contact for photo.
VIEW & DOWNLOAD: Three articles on the Saecular Games and the Roman Millennium of 248 A.D. at these links: Saecular Games by Illingworth: [ link ]
Animals Mark the Roman Millennium: [ link ]
The Roman Millennium: [ link ]