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Auction 54 11 Jan 2022
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Macrinus, AD 217-218, Gold Aureus (7.37 g). Antioch mint, April-June AD 218. IMP CM OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. VICT PART PM TRP II COS II PP, Victory flying left holding a diadem in both hands, flanked either side by a shield on a base (BMC p.504 note, RIC 50c, Cohen 138var (not cuirassed), Calicó 2979). Of the greatest rarity with apparently only three specimens known. Superb portrait of fine style. Choice about as struck. Mint State. Estimated Value $125,000 - UP
Born in Caesarea in Mauretania of Berber origin, Marcus Opellius Macrinus was a member of the equestrian class and thus became the first Roman emperor who did not hail from the senatorial class and the first emperor from Mauretania. He was also the first Roman emperor to never visit the Eternal City during his reign. A skilled lawyer, he rose as an important bureaucrat under Septimius Severus, and was appointed the praetorian prefect by Severus' successor Caracalla.
Macrinus enjoyed the trust and favor of Caracalla, but this changed when, according to tradition, it was prophesied that he would depose and succeed the emperor. Caracalla's paranoia would ensure the fruition of the prophesy. While with Caracalla in the east in the spring of 217 during preparations for the planned invasion of Parthia, Macrinus, fearing for his own safety, resolved to have the emperor murdered. In April, Caracalla went to visit the Temple of Luna near the site of the Battle of Carrhae accompanied only by Macrinus and his personal guard. While travelling to the temple on the 8th of April, Caracalla was stabbed to death by the soldier Justin Martialis on the instigation of Macrinus. Three days later, without waiting for Senate confirmation, Macrinus proclaimed himself emperor and assumed all imperial titles and powers.
Macrinus' reign, based in Antioch, though, would be ill-fated. Rome faced a number of threats. Artabanos, brother and rival Parthian king of Vologases VI invaded the Roman part of Mesopotamia. Macrinus, fought him in an indecisive battle near Nisibin. In order to end the hostilities and restore peace, Artabanos demanded a tribute of 200 Million Sestertii from the Romans. Faced with additional threats from Dacia and Armenia, Macrinus thought it both prudent and beneficial to pay. In order to gloss over the ignominious affair, Macrinus struck coins to celebrate his victory over the hereditary foe of Rome. This less than artful bit of whitewashing is reflected here on this very rare Aureus.
His less than noble origins, meanwhile, did not endear him to the Senate, his reduction of soldiers yearly pay back from 3000 (the increase that Caracalla had given) to 2000 Sestertii created grumbling in the legions, and his mistake of freeing and allowing Caracalla's extended family to return to their hometown of Emesa would led to his demise. Using her great wealth, Caracalla's scheming aunt Julia Maesa bought the allegiance of Legio III Galicia stationed in Raphanea, who proclaimed the chief priest of the Phoenician sun-god El-Gabal, her 14-year old grandson, Elagabal emperor. Macrinus fled the ensuing Battle of Antioch, was captured in Chalcedon and executed in Cappadocia, after learning that his son Diadumenian had already been killed.
Ex Maison Palombo Auction 13, Geneva, December 13, 2014, lot 94.
Born in Caesarea in Mauretania of Berber origin, Marcus Opellius Macrinus was a member of the equestrian class and thus became the first Roman emperor who did not hail from the senatorial class and the first emperor from Mauretania. He was also the first Roman emperor to never visit the Eternal City during his reign. A skilled lawyer, he rose as an important bureaucrat under Septimius Severus, and was appointed the praetorian prefect by Severus' successor Caracalla.
Macrinus enjoyed the trust and favor of Caracalla, but this changed when, according to tradition, it was prophesied that he would depose and succeed the emperor. Caracalla's paranoia would ensure the fruition of the prophesy. While with Caracalla in the east in the spring of 217 during preparations for the planned invasion of Parthia, Macrinus, fearing for his own safety, resolved to have the emperor murdered. In April, Caracalla went to visit the Temple of Luna near the site of the Battle of Carrhae accompanied only by Macrinus and his personal guard. While travelling to the temple on the 8th of April, Caracalla was stabbed to death by the soldier Justin Martialis on the instigation of Macrinus. Three days later, without waiting for Senate confirmation, Macrinus proclaimed himself emperor and assumed all imperial titles and powers.
Macrinus' reign, based in Antioch, though, would be ill-fated. Rome faced a number of threats. Artabanos, brother and rival Parthian king of Vologases VI invaded the Roman part of Mesopotamia. Macrinus, fought him in an indecisive battle near Nisibin. In order to end the hostilities and restore peace, Artabanos demanded a tribute of 200 Million Sestertii from the Romans. Faced with additional threats from Dacia and Armenia, Macrinus thought it both prudent and beneficial to pay. In order to gloss over the ignominious affair, Macrinus struck coins to celebrate his victory over the hereditary foe of Rome. This less than artful bit of whitewashing is reflected here on this very rare Aureus.
His less than noble origins, meanwhile, did not endear him to the Senate, his reduction of soldiers yearly pay back from 3000 (the increase that Caracalla had given) to 2000 Sestertii created grumbling in the legions, and his mistake of freeing and allowing Caracalla's extended family to return to their hometown of Emesa would led to his demise. Using her great wealth, Caracalla's scheming aunt Julia Maesa bought the allegiance of Legio III Galicia stationed in Raphanea, who proclaimed the chief priest of the Phoenician sun-god El-Gabal, her 14-year old grandson, Elagabal emperor. Macrinus fled the ensuing Battle of Antioch, was captured in Chalcedon and executed in Cappadocia, after learning that his son Diadumenian had already been killed.
Ex Maison Palombo Auction 13, Geneva, December 13, 2014, lot 94.