A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman

Roman Imperial Coinage, Macrinus, As, Rome, January-June 218, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, imp caes m opel sev macrinvs avg, rev. pontif max tr p ii, Emperor driving slow quadriga left, holding branch and sceptre, s c in field, cos ii p p in exergue, 12.30g (RIC 162; BMC 134; C 107; Sear 7427). Obverse good very fine, reverse nearly very fine, dark patina
£300-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Provenance: P. Baron Collection; Sir Arthur Evans Collection, Ars Classica Auction XVII (Lucerne), 3 October 1934, lot 1596 [from P.B. 1915]; E.A. Sydenham Collection, Glendining Auction, 10 December 1941, lot 253.

Despite a somewhat inglorious truce with the Parthian king Artabanus VI, this reverse proclaims a Roman victory. If not anticipating some future success, this would seem to be an example of pure propaganda; an attempt to impress the Senate and citizens of Rome who had little confidence in the new emperor’s abilities