Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Macrinus 125

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Macrinus 125. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Macrinus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Macrinus, laureate, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG.

The reverse shows salus, draped, seated left on low seat, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding sceptre in left hand, with the legend SALVS PVBL P M TR P S C.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
3
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Marcus Opellius Macrinus reigned as Roman emperor from April 217 until June 218, ruling jointly with his young son Diadumenianus. Formerly a praetorian prefect under Caracalla, he became the first emperor from an equestrian background rather than the senatorial class. Proclaimed in the eastern provinces and confirmed by the Senate, Macrinus sought economic and diplomatic stability, yet he never visited Rome during his brief reign before being overthrown and executed.

This bronze sestertius was struck at the mint of Rome under Macrinus's imperial authority. In the Roman monetary system, the sestertius functioned as a large coin valued at two and a half asses, or one quarter of a denarius, useful for commerce. The piece bears Macrinus's imperial title on the obverse and displays Salus seated, feeding a snake coiled round an altar, with the legend "SALVS PVBL P M TR P S C".

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Macrinus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Macrinus, laureate, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Salus, draped, seated left on low seat, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding sceptre in left hand
Obverse legend
IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
Reverse legend
SALVS PVBL P M TR P S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC IV Macrinus 125
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
SALVS PVBL P M TR P S C
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference