Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Ancients
Macrinus (AD 217-218). AR denarius (20mm, 3.67 gm, 12h). Rome, AD 218. IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Macrinus right / PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing left, holding wand in right hand and and cornucopia cradled in left arm, globe left at feet. RIC 80. BMCRE 73. RSC 108. An astonishingly beautiful piece, with lustrous fields and detailed devices producing a "cameo proof" effect. Seldom seen in this exemplary state of preservation! NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5. Macrinus was born in Caesarea in Mauretania around the year 165. He received a literary education that enabled him to rise high as a bureaucrat in the imperial service. Caracalla made Macrinus praetorian prefect, second only to the emperor in executive power. In AD 216, Macrinus accompanied Caracalla on campaign against the Parthians, where he learned that a letter implicating him in a plot was about to be delivered to the emperor. Acting quickly, he arranged for Caracalla to be murdered and then convinced the army leadership proclaim him emperor on April 11, AD 217. The Roman Senate was delighted to be rid of the hated Caracalla, but events quickly overtook his precarious regime. Hoping to disengage the army and return to Rome, Macrinus tried to patch up a peace agreement with the Parthians, granting them large bribes and reparations. To the Roman soldiers, this smelled like defeat, and Macrinus worsened matters by revoking the large pay increase Caracalla had granted them. The discontent persuaded Caracalla's wealthy aunt, Julia Maesa, to bribe the Roman garrison of Emesa to proclaim her 13-year-old grandson, Elagabalus, as emperor. Macrinus did not at first take the revolt seriously, but when other soldiers joined in, he marshaled his loyal legions and met the rebels near Antioch on June 8. With his troops on the verge of victory, Macrinus suddenly lost heart and fled the field. His disgusted soldiers declared their support for Elagabalus. Disguised as a courier, Macrinus tried to escape, but was captured and summarily executed.
Estimate: 1400-1800 USD
Macrinus (AD 217-218). AR denarius (20mm, 3.67 gm, 12h). Rome, AD 218. IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Macrinus right / PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing left, holding wand in right hand and and cornucopia cradled in left arm, globe left at feet. RIC 80. BMCRE 73. RSC 108. An astonishingly beautiful piece, with lustrous fields and detailed devices producing a "cameo proof" effect. Seldom seen in this exemplary state of preservation! NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5. Macrinus was born in Caesarea in Mauretania around the year 165. He received a literary education that enabled him to rise high as a bureaucrat in the imperial service. Caracalla made Macrinus praetorian prefect, second only to the emperor in executive power. In AD 216, Macrinus accompanied Caracalla on campaign against the Parthians, where he learned that a letter implicating him in a plot was about to be delivered to the emperor. Acting quickly, he arranged for Caracalla to be murdered and then convinced the army leadership proclaim him emperor on April 11, AD 217. The Roman Senate was delighted to be rid of the hated Caracalla, but events quickly overtook his precarious regime. Hoping to disengage the army and return to Rome, Macrinus tried to patch up a peace agreement with the Parthians, granting them large bribes and reparations. To the Roman soldiers, this smelled like defeat, and Macrinus worsened matters by revoking the large pay increase Caracalla had granted them. The discontent persuaded Caracalla's wealthy aunt, Julia Maesa, to bribe the Roman garrison of Emesa to proclaim her 13-year-old grandson, Elagabalus, as emperor. Macrinus did not at first take the revolt seriously, but when other soldiers joined in, he marshaled his loyal legions and met the rebels near Antioch on June 8. With his troops on the verge of victory, Macrinus suddenly lost heart and fled the field. His disgusted soldiers declared their support for Elagabalus. Disguised as a courier, Macrinus tried to escape, but was captured and summarily executed.
Estimate: 1400-1800 USD