ROMAN. Philip II. As Caesar, A.D. 244-247. Bronze Sestertius (23.44g). Rome mint, 3rd officina. 2nd emission, A.D. 245. M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, bareheaded and draped bust right / PRINCIPI IVVENT, S C across field, Philip II, in military dress, standing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and globe in left. RIC IV 255; Banti 10. An amazing sestertius, with an outstanding portrait, lovely deep green patina, and very well centred strike. One of the finest known, if not the finest. Numbered among the ill-fated boy-emperors of the turbulent 3rd century, Philip II was scarcely seven years old when his father raised him to the rank of Caesar in early 244. His brief formative years unfolded against a backdrop of instability, for Philip I had himself seized the throne in a coup in Asia Minor and then faced constant danger on the Danubian frontier, where he struggled to contain Rome's enemies. Philip II bore the title of Caesar for just over three years, during which a distinguished coinage was issued in his name, most notably a series of attractive silver double denarii and brass sestertii that projected an image of dynastic continuity amid mounting crisis. From the David Allan Collection, formerly in the David Tong Collection; ex Astarte S.A., Lugano, auction of 5 March 1999, lot 270.

Estimate: AUD 1500