Æ30 - Philip I ΙΕΡΑΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ

Hierapolis sat atop one of the ancient world's most spectacular geological anomalies — the calcium-rich thermal springs that built the white travertine terraces still visible today. The city's civic coinage under Philip I reflects a municipality flush with religious and commercial traffic, the sanctuary of Apollo Lairbenos drawing pilgrims and the road network through Phrygia funneling trade. Provincial bronze of this weight and module from Hierapolis is not uncommon, but the city ceased issuing civic coinage shortly after Philip's reign ended in 249, making this among the final generations of its independent mint output.