Æ29 - Philip I ϹΑΜΙΩΝ

Philip I's reign saw a surge in provincial bronze output across the Ionian conventus, partly driven by the emperor's need to consolidate legitimacy after engineering — or at least failing to prevent — the death of his predecessor Gordian III on the Persian frontier in 244. Samos, operating under the Milesian conventus, issued a relatively modest civic bronze series under Philip, and VIII#20523 is among the less frequently encountered types from the island in this period.

Samos had lost its status as a free city under Vespasian, a demotion that rankled for generations and shaped the tone of its civic coinage.