TYPE Roman Empire, Philip I (244-9 AD), silver antoninianus, 4.08g, struck 248 AD DESCRIPTION . Obv: Radiate draped bust of Philip to right, leged IMP PHILIPPVS AVG Rev: Column inscribed COL III, legend SAECVLARES AVGG REFERENCE: RSC 173, VM 37/1, SR 2569 GRADING: EF+ / AEF, scarce ORDER INFO: R2602, $160 A popular type from the "Saeculares" series, issued in conjunction with celebrations on the occasion of Rome's millenium in 248 AD, at which time a new era (or 'seaculum', and hence our term 'secular') was proclaimed. Despite the pomp, Rome was well past its heyday, its hollowness illustrated by the fact it was presided over by the son of an Arab sheikh (according to some, even a crypto-Christian), who was soon to perish in yet another bloody palace coup.