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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Macrinus 139

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Macrinus 139. 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 felicitas, draped, standing left, holding long caduceus in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand, with the legend PONTIF MAX TR P COS P 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 to June 218 alongside his young son Diadumenianus. Formerly a praetorian prefect under Caracalla, Macrinus conspired in Caracalla's murder and assumed imperial power in the eastern provinces. Although confirmed as emperor by the Senate, he never visited Rome during his brief reign, which was consumed by diplomatic efforts, military unrest, and economic measures to address depleted state coffers.

This bronze sestertius was struck at the mint of Rome under Macrinus's authority. The obverse presents a laureate and cuirassed bust of the emperor alongside his titular legend "IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG". The reverse depicts the personification Felicitas holding a long caduceus and a cornucopiae, accompanied by the inscription "PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P S C", signifying his imperial, consular, and priestly offices under senatorial decree.

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Macrinus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Macrinus, laureate, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Felicitas, draped, standing left, holding long caduceus in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand
Obverse legend
IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
Reverse legend
PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC IV Macrinus 139
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
PONTIF MAX TR P COS P 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.
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