AR23 - Philip I L - Β

Philip I came to power after the death — almost certainly murder — of Gordian III on campaign against Persia in 244 AD. The Alexandria mint, one of the most prolific provincial operations in the empire, responded quickly to the new regime, issuing tetradrachms in his name within months of his accession. The Β in the date notation marks this as year two of his reign by the Egyptian calendar, corresponding to the Alexandrian regnal year running from August 244 into 245.

Billon purity in Alexandrian tetradrachms had been declining steadily for decades by this point, a trajectory that would continue through the third century crisis.