SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Heliopolis. Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip I. Augusta, 244-249 AD. Æ 27mm (15.33 gm). OTACILIA SEVERA AVG, diademed draped bust right, on crescent / COL IVL AVG FE IOMH, COL HEL in exergue, propylaeum (monumental gateway) to the temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus, a cypress tree in central arch, with small altar at the bottom of the stairway. BMC Galatia pg. 291, 23; Mionnet V pg. 303, 128; Price & Trell fig.284 (Philip I). VF, brown patina.
The ruins of the temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus at modern Baalbek show the propyleum opening onto a hexagonal courtyard, which presumably held a sacred cypress tree. The courtyard fronted the main forecourt of the temple complex itself.
