AR Antoninianus, 22 mm, 3.6 g, 7h, Roma mint c. CE 245-246
RIC 219
RCV 9240 v
O: rad and draped bust r, M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES
R: Philip II stg l in military attire holding globe and resting on spear, PRINCIPI IVVENT
Ex: Davisson's Ltd, (Cold Spring MN) Auction Seven lot 142 (21 August 1996)
This altar was erected by the citizens of Girona, Spain in honor of Philip II. The altar was preserved due to its reuse as the foot of the high altar in Sant Marti Sacosta.
The inscription reads:
M IVLIO
PHILIPPO
NOBILIS
SIMO CAE
SARI
R P GER
NOBILIS
SIMO CAE
SARI
R P GER
When translated should read: "To M. Julius Philippus, most noble Caesar, the people of Girona (Gerunda)"
This altar is now located in the Archaeology Museum of Girona and was photographed by us in 2018. The Archaeology Museum is housed in a beautiful Romanesque Abbey whose cloisters should not be missed.
