Elagabalus AE28 of Philippopolis (Plovdiv, Bulgaria) Roman Provincial 218-222 AD Rare Copper Coin with Dark Green Patina Museum Reproduction CBRS0025

Philippopolis is Plovdiv, Bulgaria today. A Neolithic settlement dating around 4000 B.C. establishes Plovdiv as among the world’s oldest cities. It was a walled Thracian city called Eumolpias when it was conquered by Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. He renamed it Philippopolis. When it regained independence, the new Thracian name was Pulpudeva. In Latin it was sometimes called Trimontium (City of Three Hills). An important crossroads in the Roman Empire, it became the capital of Roman Thracia. The city became a Neokoros city (neocorate) during the reign of Elagabalus.
This rare issue was hand struck (hammered) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (ancient Roman province Philippopolis). It goes without saying you always get the exact item in the picture.
Elagabalus or Heliogabalus was named after the homonymous Ancient Semitic god. He was related to the Severans through his mother. He was famous as one of the most controversial Roman emperors and popular with his sexual whims and exotic religious rituals.
His reign was marked by a series of riots and conflicts. It took him one year to get to Rome and to take control over the Empire. During this period he had triumphant journeys through the provinces and held lavish celebrations. The procession passed through Anatolia, Thrace and Greece.
In 218 AD Elagabalus visited Philippopolis. This happened during the traditional sport games in town. To honour the emperor and the main god and patron of the city Apollo of Kedrisia the games were called Kedrisian.
To mark the occasion, special coins with images of the emperor and sport competitions were minted.
DESIGN:
Obverse side
Laureate head right
Legend:
AYT K M AYPH ANTΩNEINOC

Reverse side
Asklepios with serpent-entwined staff and Hygieia, feeding serpent in arms, standing face to face
Legend:
MHTΡOΠOΛEΩC ΦIΛIΠΠOΠOΛEΩC, NEΩKOΡO in ex.

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.