Attractive Portrait of Philip V of Macedon
L. Marcius Philippus. 57 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.86 g, 6h). Rome mint. Head of Philip V of Macedon right, wearing diademed royal Macedonian helmet with goat horns;
ROMA monogram behind, Φ below chin / Equestrian statue right on inscribed tablet, with laurel branch; flower below horse; mark of value in exergue. Crawford 293/1; Sydenham 551; Marcia 12. Good VF, toned, minor mark in the right side of the field on the obverse.
Ex Pat Coyle Collection.
Though nearly 150 years removed from his interactions with the Roman Republic, the image of Philip V of Macedon was a clear reminder of Rome’s victories and gains in the Syrian war. Through the usual practice of puns on republican coins, the moneyer here utilized Philip to further allude to his own cognomen, Philippus.
