Æ25 - Philip I ΕΠ ΑΙΝΕΙΟΥ ΜΑΓΝ (Τ) ϹΙΠΥΛ

Magnesia ad Sipylum sat in the Hermus River valley at the foot of Mount Sipylus, and its civic coinage under Philip I reflects the competitive honorifics that Lydian cities fought over during the third century. The title ΜΑΓΝ(Τ) ϹΙΠΥΛ distinguishes this city sharply from its more famous Ionian neighbor Magnesia ad Maeandrum — a confusion ancient travelers themselves made. Philip's reign coincided with the celebration of Rome's millennial games in 248 AD, which prompted an unusual surge in provincial bronze issues across the Smyrna conventus as cities competed to associate themselves with the festivities.