Roman Provincial, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch, Macrinus (217-218 AD) Tetradrachm

Marcus Opellius Macrinus was Roman Emperor from 11 April AD 217 to 8 June AD 218. He was born in Caesarea in Mauretania in North Africa and rose through the imperial administration rather than the traditional senatorial military elite. Before becoming Emperor, he served as praetorian prefect under Caracalla.

Macrinus became Emperor after the assassination of Caracalla in AD 217, a plot in which he was widely suspected of involvement. His accession was unusual because he was the first Roman Emperor who had not previously been a Senator. His reign was short and troubled. He attempted to stabilise the Empire’s finances and made peace with the Parthians, but these actions, together with reductions in military pay and loyalty to Caracalla’s family, made him unpopular with the army. In AD 218, a revolt in favour of Elagabalus, a young relative of Caracalla, led to Macrinus’ defeat, capture, and execution.

Macrinus’ coinage is an important source for his brief reign. His coins were struck mainly in gold aurei, silver denarii and antoniniani, and bronze denominations. They usually show his portrait with a short beard and the inscription IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG or similar variants.