★ Important political figure ★

L. Philippus, AR denarius, issued 113-112 BCE. Rome, 3.85g, 19mm.
Obv: Head of Philip V of Macedon right, wearing helmet decorated with goats' horns
Rev: Equestrian statue on pedestal right.
Crawford 293/1.
From the JB (Edmonton) collection, acquired from Calgary Coin in 2006.
Estimate: 100

After his stint as moneyer, L. Marcius Philippus ascended to the heights of Republican power, culminating in a consulship in 91 BCE. During this tumultuous year he vehemently opposed the reforms of Drusus, helping to precipitate the Social War. Afterwards he became a partisan of Sulla, and delivered the latter's funeral oration.

The obverse is both a reference to the moneyer’s name and to his family’s connection with the Macedonian royal house; the Marcii Philippi were instrumental in negotiating an alliance with Philip V after the victory of Flamininus over Macedon in 197 BCE.