Philip I, 244-249. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 29 mm, 17.08 g, 12 h), Rome, 248. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Laurate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I to the right, seen from behind. Rev. SAECVLARES AVGG / S C She-wolf standing left, head facing, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. Cohen 179. RIC 159. Very well struck for the issue and with an attractive green and brown patina. Very minor roughness and with light doubling on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


This beautiful sestertius of Philip I commemorates the founding of Rome in 753 BC, as indicated by the legend on the reverse, SAECVLARES AVGG. The accompanying type, depicting the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, reinforces the legend. According to the foundation myth, the twins were placed in a basket and floated down the Tiber River to escape certain death at the command of King Amulius of Alba Longa. The basket eventually came to rest near the future site of Rome, where a she-wolf found it. She nursed and cared for the twins until they were discovered by the shepherd Faustulus, who took them home to his wife and raised them as his own children.