Macrinus denarius

I've just received my first Macrinus denarius, and it was a bit of a gamble, as the seller sold various Roman coins (mainly Gordian III and Sev'Alex, which he found with a metal detector in the Southern of the Netherlands). However, the photo's were not super sharp.

I took a certain risk for €90, but believe the coin to be genuine. Of course, nobody can tell based on a picture, but there are several pro's:
- a flan crack, which is 'real', i.e. it's not an impression of a flan crack as can be seen in cast coins
- the coin is not on the fakes section of the FORVM, nor in the forgerynetwork database
- the weight (2.45 g) is within the normal range
- the dark patina is not uncommon for silver coins found in the Netherlands (and there is no smell of sulphur)

On the other hand: denari of Macrinus are scarce, and especially in this condition.

I would appreciate any imput.


Obv: IMP CM OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, bust of Macrinus, laureate, cropped beard, cuirassed to the right.
Rev: SALVS PVBLICA, Salus, draped, seated left on throne with high back, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding sceptre in left hand
Weight 2.45 g, diameter 19mm
Small flan break in the "A" of "AVG"(obv) and "S" of "SALVS" (rev).
RIC 86 (?)

 

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Nothing screams fake to me. I only have a Marcinus provincial that I don't share often enough:


Macrinus. A.D. 217-218.
Æ28, 14.6g, 6h. Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Laodicea ad Mare.
Obv.: IMP C M OP S-EVE MACRINOS AVG; Laureate head right.
Rev.: ROMAE above, FEL in exergue, she-wolf standing right, head turned to look back at the suckling twins, Romulus and Remus

 

Looks genuine and it may have had contact with the elements in the soil for a long time, let's say 1800 years.

 

Thanks @Jwt708 and @ancient coin hunter for your opinions so far.

 

The British Museum has several examples of this coin. This one is similar in bust style and portrait.



I only have one denarius of this short-lived emperor. Here he is with a longer beard (and some SERIOUS metal-flow lines):



Macrinus, AD 217-218.
Roman AR denarius, 2.94 g, 19.5 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 217.
Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P, Fides Militum standing facing, head right, right foot on helmet and holding a military standard in each hand.
Refs: RIC 22A; BMCRE 38; Cohen 60; RCV 7345; ERIC II 69.

 

MACRINUS


RI Macrinus 217-218 AE25 CE Facing Quadriga
ex: @Valentinian
Macrinus, 217-218, stuck at Leucas on the Chrysorous in Coele-Syria.
(Located possibly at Abila, east end south of the Sea of Galilee (according to BMC).
AE28-24, 16.10 grams. Thick.
Facing quadriga! (This is unusually early for this type)
SGI --, BMC Syria has none of Macrinus from this city and only 7 from this city, total.
Lindgren and Kovacs 2187. rare



RI Didumenian and Macrinus 217-218 CE AE28 Markianopolis mint Serapis

 

Denarius of Macrinus RIC 97 217-218 A.D. Rv. VICTORIA PARTHICA Victory advancing right 2.55 grms 19 mm

 

Looks good to me. I'd buy it.

 

Thanks all for the reassuring comments and beautiful coins. Feels good to be part of the Macrinus club

 

Looks OK to me.
Macrinus

with longer beard