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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, post: 7650915, member: 99554&quot;]<b>The history</b></p><p><b>Macrinus</b> was the Praetorian Prefect under Caracalla. When the Emperor heard a prophecy that <b>Macrinus</b> was destined to become the next Emperor, the poor Prefect probably pissed in his pants, knowing very well the patient and kind personality of the young ruler. So he commissioned the assassination of the Emperor, and four days later, the Eastern legions hailed <b>Macrinus</b> as Emperor, and his son Diadumenian as Caesar.&nbsp; Fourteen months later, a mutinery, inspired by the sister of Julia Domna, broke out in Syria in the spring of 218 AD. In an effort to win again the loyalty of the troops, <b>Macrinus</b> elevated his son to the rank of Augustus and declared a large donative. These efforts were too late, however, and the Emperor and Diadumenian were captured and executed <b><span style="color: #ff0000">June 8th</span></b>. It appears that <b>Macrinus</b> spent his entire reign in the East and never had the chance to visit Rome again.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1315442[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><b>The coinage</b></p><p>The coins of <b>Macrinus</b> are very rare in gold and scarce in bronze and silver. The existence of an Imperial mint in the East, probably at Antioch, under Severus, Caracalla and again under Elagabalus, makes it probable that during the short reign of <b>Macrinus</b> the same mint was in operation concurrently with that of Rome.</p><p><br /></p><p>All of <b>Macrinus</b>’ coinage carries the same obverse legend, incorporating his adopted name of Severus: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG (or slightly longer CAES on the bronze coinage). Two distinct bust varieties are represented, the first with cropped hair and beard, replaced later in September 217 AD with an older face and long beard. It is a mystery why the early types show a younger bust, but it may have been that the only images of <b>Macrinus</b> available to die engravers in Rome at the start of his reign were outdated to be replaced later. It is also possible that <b>Macrinus</b> actually wore a short beard, and deliberately ordered that the coins be changed to show a longer &quot;philosopher&#039;s beard&quot; to stress continuity with the Antonine dynasty and Septimius Severus. The development of <b>Macrinus</b>’ coinage is based largely on the reverse types, for which there are both dated and undated types, that follow <b>Macrinus</b>’ various imperial titles. A relatively typical range of types appear, including those that reference the fidelity of the military (FIDES MILITVM), Jupiter as the emperor’s protector, and various personifications (Annona, Felicitas, Fides, Salus, and Securitas). The development outlined in RIC IV.2 is as follows:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1315446[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Interesting fact: When <b>Macrinus</b> heard that the eastern mint (Antioch ?) started to produce coins bearing the title COS II on January 1st of 218 AD, he ordered that the coin legends be restored to the usual correct version, COS. Thus, specimens with the COS II legend may actually pre-date the coins bearing the legend COS !</p><p><br /></p><p>Two provincials of the father/son duo:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1315444[/ATTACH] </p><p>Macrinus (ex [USER=87404]@Justin Lee[/USER] )</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1315443[/ATTACH] </p><p>Diadumenian</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Please show me your short/long beard examples of the Emperor who never saw Rome !</b>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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