Philippopolis in Thrace — modern Plovdiv — was one of the most active provincial mints under the Severan dynasty, and its output under Elagabalus reflects the administrative scramble that followed his sudden elevation in 218. He was proclaimed emperor by the legions of Syria Phoenice at just fourteen years old, after a revolt against Macrinus, and the eastern and Thracian civic mints were issuing bronze in his name before Rome had fully processed the dynastic shift. RPC IV.1 #590 is among the smaller module pieces from this mint, consistent with the fractional civic issues that Philippopolis produced alongside larger medallion-weight bronzes during the same reign.
Philippopolis in Thrace — modern Plovdiv — was one of the most active provincial mints under the Severan dynasty, and its output under Elagabalus reflects the administrative scramble that followed his sudden elevation in 218. He was proclaimed emperor by the legions of Syria Phoenice at just fourteen years old, after a revolt against Macrinus, and the eastern and Thracian civic mints were issuing bronze in his name before Rome had fully processed the dynastic shift. RPC IV.1 #590 is among the smaller module pieces from this mint, consistent with the fractional civic issues that Philippopolis produced alongside larger medallion-weight bronzes during the same reign.