AR23 - Philip I L Β

Philip I's accession in 244 AD followed the murder of Gordian III during the Mesopotamian campaign — almost certainly with Philip's own involvement. Alexandria's mint, which had operated a closed currency system requiring all incoming silver to be exchanged for local tetradrachms, continued producing its provincial coinage uninterrupted through the transition. The "L Β" regnal date notation, marking year two of Philip's reign, places this piece squarely in the first full Egyptian administrative year under the new emperor.