Æ25 - Philip I ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ

Laodicea ad Lycum earned the title of neokoros — temple warden, custodian of the imperial cult — a civic honor awarded by Rome that cities in Asia Minor competed for fiercely, sometimes funding elaborate building programs to secure it. The legend ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ on this issue is that status on coin: a public declaration issued under Philip I, who himself needed every provincial loyalty he could muster after seizing power following the death of Gordian III on campaign in 244.