249 AD., Philippus I., Sestertius, mint of Rome, RIC 162a.

Philippus I., Sestertius, 14,23 g., mint of Rome, 5th officina. 11th emission, 249 AD.
Obv.: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG , Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Characteristic portrait.
Rev.: SAECVLARES AVGG / S - C , Cippus millenarius inscribed COS / III in two lines.
RIC IV 162a ; Banti 51.

Struck to commemorate the one-thousandth anniversary of the founding of Rome.
One of the most interesting series of coins of the 3rd century was issued by Philip I, his wife, and his son, for the thousandth anniversary of Rome's foundation. Though archaeological evidence proves the hills of Rome were settled at least two centuries earlier than the legendary foundation date of 753 B.C. set by the sage Varro, the Romans considered that date gospel. The close of the millennium occurred, ironically, in the unsettling year 248 when four separate rebellions broke within the ranks of the army. However, none of them could lure Philip from the capital, where he initiated celebrations on April 21, and where remained to witness the much-anticipated games later in the year. Public celebrations were accompanied by an ornamental series of coins inscribed SAECVLARES AVGG, MILIARIVM SAECVLVM and SAECVLVM NOVVM. Other coins inscribed AETERNITAS AVGG and ROMAE AETERNAE bear general relevance to the celebration. The reverse types are varied and exotic: a lion, gazelle, antelope, goat, stag, hippopotamus and elephant all relate to the games, whereas the she-wolf and twins, a low column (or cippus) and the temple of Roma Aeterna relate to the event in general, and to the hope that it would represent the beginning of a new age. Unfortunately it did - but the age was not to be happier, safer or more prosperous. Instead it would be more tragic, violent and unsettled.