Æ23 - Philip I ΙΕΡΑΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ

Hierapolis in Phrygia — not to be confused with the better-known Syrian city of the same name — struck civic bronze throughout the third century under the governor's circuit centered at Cibyra. Philip I's reign coincided with the empire's millennial celebrations of 248 AD, and several Phrygian civic mints ramped up bronze production to meet demand for small-denomination exchange during the associated games and festivals. Whether Hierapolis issued specifically for that occasion or simply maintained routine civic output during his five-year reign is unresolved in the scholarship.