Rare denarius of Macrinus (AD 217–218), struck at the Rome mint between AD 217–218, belongs to issues produced during his short but well-documented reign, when coinage played a key role in legitimizing the authority of the new emperor.
The obverse shows a laureate and cuirassed bust of the emperor facing right, with the legend IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, giving his full titulature as imperator and augustus. The portrait belongs to a distinctive group of representations of Macrinus, whose style noticeably diverges from earlier Severan issues, a feature well established in comparative numismatic studies.
The reverse depicts Annona standing left, holding a cornucopia and ears of grain above a modius, with the legend PM TRP II COS PP. Annona, as the personification of the grain supply, played a central role in imperial propaganda, particularly in the context of ensuring stable provisioning for Rome. The modius, as a standard grain measure, directly refers to the state-controlled distribution system (annona), which was fundamental to the functioning of the capital.
The reverse legend records the emperor’s principal offices: Pontifex Maximus, second tribunician power (TR P II), consulship, and the title Pater Patriae, allowing the issue to be dated to the final phase of his reign.
A highly attractive, near mint-state specimen, preserving sharp detail and natural mint lustre, representing a scarce issue from one of the shortest reigns in Roman imperial history.
Roman Imperial
Macrinus (217-218), Denarius 217-218, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate, cuirassed bust of Macrinus to right
IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
Reverse: Annona standing left with cornucopiae, holding grain ears over modius
PM TRP II COS PP
Diameter 20 mm, weight 3.19 g
