Macrinus, 217 – 218
Aureus March-July 218, AV 7.45 g. IMP C M OPEL SEV – MACRINVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. AEQVITAS AVG Aequitas standing l., holding scales and cornucopia. C 3 var. (not cuirassed). BMC 58 note. RIC 52. Biaggi 1262 (this coin). Calicó 2933 (this coin). Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. A bold portrait of excellent style well struck in high relief on very large flan. A perfect Fdc Ex NAC 52, 2009, 525 and NAC 102, 2017, 540 sales. From the Biaggi collection and privately purchased from Ratto in December 1954. A trusted administrator under the Severans, Macrinus Roseto become one of two praetorian prefects under the emperor Caracalla. He took a leading role in the plot to murder his benefactor, having himself enlisted the assassin. Three days after Caracalla's assassination, Macrinus was nominated Augustus by the soldiers after pretending to show sorrow for his master's death. For a time, he continued the war against the Parthians, but soon tired of it and sued for peace, offering the enemy large payments in exchange for a non-aggression pact. This did not bode well with the soldiers, who perhaps wanted to pursue the campaign and have an opportunity to claim their share of the legendary wealth of the East. Thus, many soldiers soon deserted to the cause of a new rival, the 14-year-old grandnephew of Julia Domna, Elagabalus, who was alleged to be an illegitimate son of Caracalla. When the opponents finally clashed near a small Syrian village outside Antioch, the forces of Elagabalus got the upper hand and Macrinus fled the field. He made his way in disguise as far as Calchedon before he was captured and executed.