Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Macrinus. Silver Denarius (3.5 g), AD 217-218. Rome. IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right. Reverse FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing facing, head right, resting foot on globe, holding two standards. RIC 67; BMC 65; RSC 23f. Well struck and well centered on a large flan, lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine.

The first equestrian to attain the throne of Rome, Macrinus was of Berber descent from Mauretania. He had been a notable jurist, served as an important bureaucrat under Septimius Severus, and under Caracalla became prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Suspecting that Caracalla would execute him because of a prophesy that told he would depose and succeed the emperor - and indeed, according to Dio Cassius, members of Macrinus' staff had been re-assigned by Caracalla - Macrinus feared for his life. He was thus perhaps involved in the murder of Caracalla in early April AD 217; he was certainly present during the event, although if he was involved he managed to deflect blame from himself. By April 11, Macrinus had proclaimed himself emperor and named his young son, Diadumenian, as Caesar.

Macrinus' short reign was marred by military incompetence and appeasement of Rome's enemies. The worst of these was his defeat by the historically inferior Parthians under Artabanos IV, and he forced to pay an enormous indemnity of 200 million sestertii in return for peace. This led to a loss of popularity with his legions, which was exploited by Caracalla's aunt, Julia Maesa, and his cousins, Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea. The Severan women had the soldiers of Legio III Gallica based at Raphana proclaim Soaemias's son, Elagabalus, emperor, and they marched on Macrinus' base at Antioch. Macrinus was soundly defeated after his troops deserted him, and he was subsequently captured and executed after fleeing towards Rome disguised as a courier.
Estimated Value $700 - 800.