Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[Shea19]

This Macrinus tetradrachm struck shortly after Caracalla’s death is probably my favorite coin in my collection.  It has a Macrinus obverse legend, but the portrait is pretty clearly of Caracalla.   I believe this was originally intended to be a tetradrachm of Caracalla, but he was killed before the obverse legend was engraved.  In a rush to get new coins minted (those soldiers needed to get paid!), they just kept the existing portrait and added in the obverse legend of Macrinus…ending up with a coin that has a portrait of Caracalla next to the name of the man who had him assassinated.

(pretty clearly a Caracalla portrait…and ΜΑΚΡЄΙΝΟC is on the right side of the legend)

Macrinus, Mesopotamia, Edessa, 217-218 AD., BI Tetradrachm (28 mm, 13.00 g). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of "Macrinus" to right, seen from behind. AY•K•M•ΟΠЄΛ•CЄΥ•ΜΑΚΡЄΙΝΟC CЄ/ Rev.ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ ΥΠΑΤΟC Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head to r. and holding wreath in beak; between the eagle's legs, shrine.

My favorite denarius of Big Mac (I love that beard!):

And a few tetradrachms (Emesa, Tyre, Hierapolis)

 

My only coin of his son:

[Julius Germanicus]

The finest coin in my entire collection is still this Sestertius of Macrinus:

IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG - Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right, with beard of intermediate length

PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P around, S — C in field - Felicitas standing left, holding long caduceus and cornucopiae

Orichalcum Sestertius, Rome, 1.Oct.-31.Dec.217

20,51 grams / 33,10 mm / 12 h

ex collection of Friedrich Karl August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, 1763-1812; Clay (The Roman Coinage of Macrinus and Diadumenian), obv. die 2, rev. die 42 (this coin cited); RIC 139 (citing specimen in Paris); BMC 120, note; Cohen 66 (citing specimen in Paris); Banti 36 (one specimen, in Paris, same dies); Sear (RCTV II) 7386

 

... and here is a Sestertius of Diadumenian:

M OPEL ANTONINVS DIADVMENIANVS CAES - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Diadumenian right, Aegis on left shoulder 

SPES PVBLICA S C - Spes advancing left, holding flower in extended right hand and raising drapery of her dress behind

Sestertius, Rome 218 a.D

23,46 mm / 32.23 mm / 12 h 

RIC 219; BMCRE 155-7 and pl. 84, 7 (same obverse die), Cohen 23; Sear (RCTV II) 7454; Banti 12 (same obverse die as illustrated specimen from Medici collection)

[mc9]

My favorite portait of Macrianus :

IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG : laureate andcuirassed bust right                                         SECVRITAS TEMPORVM : Securitas standing facing, head left, holding sceptre and leaning upon column to right

Denarius,  A.D. (217-218 AD), Rome, RIC 92.

IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG : laureate, cuirassed bust right, younger features with cropped beard                                                                                                                                                                                 CONSERVATORI : Jupiter, nude, standing facing, head left, drapery over left arm and spread behind, thunderbolt in right hand, long vertical scepter in left, small figure of Macrinus standing facing at left

Denarius, A.D. 217-218, Rome, RIC 76

M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES : Bare head and draped bust right

SPES PVBLICA : Spes advancing left holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left

Denarius, Caesar A.D.(217-218 AD), Rome, RIC IV-II,116a

M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES : bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right

PRINC IVVENTVTIS : the prince standing left in military attire, holding aquila in right and sceptre in left; behind, two standards.

Denarius, A.D.217 – 218,  irregular mint, RIC IV 102

Edited February 8, 2023 by mc9

[Ursus]

My Macrinus is below. I am still looking for an attractive long-bearded portrait and a Diadumenian.

Macrinus, Roman Empire, AR denarius, 217–218 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG; laureate and cuirassed short-bearded bust of Macrinus r. Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI; Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; to left, small figure of Macrinus standing r. 20mm, 3.21g. Ref: RIC IV Macrinus 76b.

[shanxi]

Macrinus

Macrinus, AD 217-218
Syria, Laodicea ad Mare
Billon tetradrachm
Obv.: AYT K M OΠ CEOY MAKPEINOC CE, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠA TO C ΠΠ, eagle standing with wings spread, head left, wreath in beak, star below
Billlon, 11.99g, 25mm
Ref.: Prieur 1183

[Limes]

3 hours ago, DonnaML said:

Macrinus:

Macrinus & Diadumenian, with Hermes on the reverse:

Diadumenian:

 

The provincial bronze of Macrinus is spectecular. Can you share some info about it? Also the facing portraits are beautiful! 

[Limes]

I only have one Macrinus denarius, and no coins of Diadumenian.  

[Prieure de Sion]

Macrinus, the traitor! To have an emperor murdered while going to the toilet - what baseness 🤪

 

 

 But well - I have two portraits that I particularly like. This Macrinus portrait deviates from the typical portraits and is so very different. This one I had liked.

Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 217/218 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 4.30g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Macrinus 63e; Obverse: Visible is the draped bust of Macrinus, facing right, with a radiant crown. The inscription reads: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus; Reverse: You can see the personification of Felicitas standing to the left. In her right hand she holds a short caduceus (caduceus) and in her left hand a scepter (or hasta pura?). The inscription reads: FELICITAS TEMPORVM for Felicitas Temporum (fortunate, successful times).

 

 

 

And then this detailed portrait of his son Diadumenianus.

 

Marcus Opellius Antoninus Diadumenianus

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 217/218 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 20mm; Weight: 3.69g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Macrinus 102a (Rare variant without victory wreath); Obverse: You can see the draped, bare-headed bust of Diadumenianus facing right. The inscription reads: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES for Marcus Opellius Antoninus Diadumenianus Caesar; Reverse: Diadumenianus Caesar is shown standing from the front, his head turned to the right. He holds a signum (standard) in his right hand and a scepter in his left. Two more signa (standards) are shown to his right. The inscription reads: PRINC IVVENTVTIS for Princeps Iuventutis (the first of youth).

 

[kapphnwn]

Macrinus Ar Denarius 217-218 AD Obv Bust right laureate and cuirassed. Rv VICTORIA PARTHICA Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm. RIC 97 2.55 grms 19 mm Photo by W. Hansen 

In an attempt to put the best slant on Caracalla's rather disastrous Parthian campaign Macrinus initiated this coinage. This coin was part of his second big issue which can be identified by his long beard.  

[Jims,Coins]

Is this the next Emperor

*          DF                               ELAGABALUS                                AUGUSTUS 218 - 222 AD

*          DFW                           JULIA PAULA                                 WIFE

*          DFWA                        AQUIIA SEVERA                           WIFE

            DFWB                        ANNIA FAUSTINA                         WIFE

*          DFGM                        JULIA MAESA                                GRANDMOTHER

*          DFM                           JULIA SOAEMIAS                         DAUGHTER OF JULIA MAESA &                                                         MOTHER OF ELAGABALUS

[LONGINUS]

Great coins and post!

 

[DonnaML]

10 hours ago, Limes said:

 

The provincial bronze of Macrinus is spectecular. Can you share some info about it? Also the facing portraits are beautiful! 

Thanks, @Limes. I also really like the facing portraits on the Macrinus-Diadumenian pentassarion from Marcianopolis. I think they're the highest-quality portraits on any of the Provincial facing bust coins I have.

As for the Macrinus, here's the description from when I first bought it and posted it:

Macrinus Æ26, Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior, AD 217-218. Under Marcus Claudius Agrippa, consular legate. Obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from front,  with aegis on left shoulder (snake protruding, representing Medusa’s hair) and head of Medusa on breastplate of cuirass, AV K OΠΠEΛ CEV - H MAKΡINOC / Rev. the emperor driving triumphal quadriga (decorated with image of Victory) to right, holding reins and transverse sceptre in left hand, raising right hand in salute; Virtus or soldier preceding, stepping right before the horses with head reverted to left and holding vexillum over shoulder; above, trophy of arms between two seated captives; VΠ AΓΡIΠΠA NIKOΠOΛ around from 8:00; in exergue in two lines, ITΩN ΠΡ OC | ICTΡΩ. 10.38g, 26mm, 6h. Pick, AMNG I/I 1712 (at p. 440) & Pl. XIX nr. 16 [rev. die match] [Pick, Behrendt, Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. I/I (Berlin, 1898) (6 specimens)]; Corpus Nummorum Online 26655 [see https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/CN_26655]; Varbanov I 3405 (var. obv. legend) [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Volume I: Dacia, Moesia Superior & Moesia Inferior (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria, 2005)];   Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov 8.23.34.2 [Hristova, H., H.-J. Hoeft, & G. Jekov, The Coins of Moesia Inferior 1st - 3rd c. AD: Nicopolis ad Istrum (Blagoevgrad, 2015)]. “Near Extremely Fine; beautiful olive green patina. Very Rare.” [39 examples on ACSearch, inclusive of duplicates.] Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 220th Buy or Bid Sale, June 2022, Lot 334; ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 Oct. 2020, Lot 384 (acquired from Leu Numismatik AG); ex Helios Numismatik, Auction 8, 13 October 2012, lot 337 (ex European collection, formed before 2005). [Video of coin at https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/inventory/item-detail/ancient-coins/100313?fromBbs=220th Buy Or Bid Sale.]

 

[Dafydd]

My Diadumenian.

Zeuss Auction  5  Lot 555
Diadumenian, 217-218. Denarius, Rome. M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES Draped and cuirassed bust of Diadumenian to right. Rev. PRINC IVVENTVTIS Diadumenian standing front, his head turned to right, holding standard in his right hand and scepter in his left; to his right, two standards. Cohen 3. RIC 102.
Condition: Very Fine
20 mm Weight: 3.25 g

[kapphnwn]

Diadumenian Ar Denarius 217-218 AD Obv. Bust right bare draped and cuirassed seen from front Rv. Caesar stranding facing head right holding military standard in each hand with one further to the right RIC 102 3.10 grms 19mm Photo by W. Hansen

One of the interesting things about this coin iis that while searching through the RNumis site I discovered that this denarius was in a Ars Classica Naville & Cie Auction 11 Lot 775 H C Levis collection June 19 1925. Earlier that year I picked up the Geta sestertius which I had featured in this thread only a few days ago. It too was in this auction Lot 761. Thus two coins are now reunited after quite a few years.

[shanxi]

Diadumenian 

Diadumenian (As Caesar, AD 217-218)
Moesia Inferior, Markianopolis
Æ Triassaria
Obv.: Κ Μ ΟΠΕΛΛΙOC ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC / Draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: MAPKIANOΠΟΛITΩN / Artemis advancing right, holding bow and drawing
arrow from quiver; at feet to right, hound springing right; Γ (mark of value) to left.
AE, 7.92g, 23.7mm
Ref.: AMNG I 787; Mouchmov 588; Varbanov 1311.

[ambr0zie]

I do not have Macrinus or Diadumenian imperial coins, but I got a provincial pair. The same reverse design + different cities is a bonus for me. 

 

Seleucis and Pieria. Laodicea ad Mare. Macrinus AD 217-218.

Bronze Æ

27 mm, 13,60 g

IMP C M OP S-EVE MACRINO-S AVG, laureate head of Macrinus right / ROMAE above, FEL in exergue, she-wolf standing right, head turned to look back at the suckling twins, Romulus and Remus. Cf. SNG Hunterian 3218 (obv. legend); SNG Righetti 2121; SNG Copenhagen 369; BMC 98.

 

Thrace. Deultum. Diadumenian AD 218. Bronze Æ. 24 mm, 9,44 g

M OPEL ANTONINVS DIADV C, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right / COL FL PAC DEVLT, She-wolf standing right, suckling twins, Γ in exergue. Varbanov 2217-8 var. (obv. legend); Corpus Nummorum Cf Online 11917; Jurukova 214-6.

[dougsmit]

On 2/7/2023 at 5:02 PM, Dafydd said:

The relative scarcity of Geta bronzes really highlights Caracalla's destruction of his coins.

Banti in his specialty work on sestertii I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali (vol IV-I Geta #20) lists 33 specimens of this Geta type making it the most common of all the Severan family sestertii.  At one time I thought that had to be a mistake but there are a lot of them out there.  There is even one that was tooled to remove the beard trying to make it look like a coin of the Caesar.  Geta as Caesar sestertii are quite rare as are all of the family for the period while Geta was Caesar.  I do not have a sestertius (just an as).   My big question I have never seen addressed is why there are so many of that one Geta Augustus sestertius.  Perhaps there was a single find of a bag of them that escaped destruction when the order was given???  Mine has a hammered edge suggesting the possibility that it was once used in a standard or other decoration.  I'll claim it to be 'worst known' but, in fact the one tooled to deceive is rather worse in so many ways. 

[Qcumbor]

Before we move to the next one, here are my best portraits of Macrinus and his son

Q

[CPK]

Moving on from Macrinus and Diadumenian, we come now come to: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, better known to us as Elagabalus.

 

Elagabalus was a native of Syria, and became Emperor while still a teenager through the machinations of his grandmother Julia Maesa.

Elagabalus quickly alienated himself with the Roman populace, not only by trying to replace the old state gods with the sun god Elagabal, of whom he was priest, but also through his wild, unrestrained sexual deviancy, which proved too much even for the broad-minded Romans. He was assassinated by the Praetorian Guards in A.D. 222, at the age of 18.

It's time to post your favorite portrait coin(s) of this bizarre and eccentric Emperor!   

[Octavius]

 I think Elagabalus had some of the most handsome , elegant Antoniniani ever minted.

My favorite portait is the fist one from Moruzzi,,,

[Jims,Coins]

Silver coin (AR Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of ELAGABALUS in 218 A.D. Obv. IMP.CAES.M.AVR.ANTONINVS.AVG.: radiate bust r., draped & cuirassed. Rev. FIDES.EXERCITVS.: Fide’s seated l., holding eagle & standard, another standard before her. (Refers to the legionary revolt against Macrinus, which swept Elagabalus into power. The publicity “spin” placed on the mutiny is interesting, as here it is positioned as loyalty to the Severan line.) RCS #2081. RSCIII #31. RICIV #70. DVM #27.

Are we going to show his family's coins also?

[CPK]

1 minute ago, Jims,Coins said:

Silver coin (AR Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of ELAGABALUS in 218 A.D. Obv. IMP.CAES.M.AVR.ANTONINVS.AVG.: radiate bust r., draped & cuirassed. Rev. FIDES.EXERCITVS.: Fide’s seated l., holding eagle & standard, another standard before her. (Refers to the legionary revolt against Macrinus, which swept Elagabalus into power. The publicity “spin” placed on the mutiny is interesting, as here it is positioned as loyalty to the Severan line.) RCS #2081. RSCIII #31. RICIV #70. DVM #27.

Are we going to show his family's coins also?

Family members, Empresses, etc are welcome!

[Jims,Coins]

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome for JULIA SOAEMIAS mother of ELAGABALUS, between 218 - 222 A.D. Obv. IVLIA.SOAEMIAS.: Bust of Julia Soaemias, hair waved and turned up low at the back, draped, right. Rev. VENVS.CAELESTIS.: Venus, diadem, draped, stg. l., holding apple in extended right hand and sceptre in left hand; in r. field, star.  RCS #2170. RSCIII #8. RICIV #241. DVM #2/1.

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted for JULIA MAESA, grandmother of ELAGABALUS and SEVERUS ALEXANDER, between 222 - 225 A.D. Obv. IVLIA.MAESA.AVG.: Bust of Julia Maesa, hair waved and turned up low at the back, draped, right. Rev. SAECVLI.FELICITAS.: Felicitas draped, stg. l., sacrificing with patera in right hand over lighted altar and holding long caduceus in left hand; in right field, star. RCS #2184. RSCIII #45. RICIV #271. DVM #12.

I like both of them, one portrait looks older then the other.

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted for JULIA MAESA, grandmother of ELAGABALUS and SEVERUS ALEXANDER, between 222 - 225 A.D. Obv. IVLIA.MAESA.AVG.: dr. bust r. Rev. SAECVLI.FELICITAS.: Felicitas, draped, stg. l., sacrificing with patera in right hand over lighted altar and holing long caduceus in left hand; in left field, star. RCS #2184. RSCIII #45b. RICIV #272. DVM #12.

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted for JULIA PAULA, first wife of ELAGABALUS, between 219 - 220 A.D. Obv. IVLIA.PAVLA.AVG.: dr. bust r. Rev. CONCORDIA.: Concordia seated l., holding patera and resting left elbow on arm rest, star in left field. RCS #2149. RSCIII #6. DVM #1/1

Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted for AQUILA SEVERA, second wife of ELAGABALUS, between 220 - 222 A.D. Obv. IVLIA.AQVILIA.SEVERA.AVG.: dr. bust r. Rev. CONCORDIA.: Concordia standing left by altar, holding patera and double cornucopia; star in left field. RCS #2158. RSCIII #2a. RICIV #225. DVM #1.

[Roman Collector]

Big family!!

Grandma:

Julia Maesa, Augusta 218-225 CE.
Roman Orichalcum Sestertius, 21.28 gm, 29.2 mm.
Rome mint, 218-220 CE.
Obv: IVLIA MAESA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: PIETAS AVG SC, Pietas standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding incense box.
Refs: RIC 414; Cohen 31; BMCRE 389; Sear 7763; Thirion 408.

Mom:

Julia Soaemias, 218-222 CE.
Roman orichalcum dupondius, 11.05 g, 25.3 mm, 7 h.
Rome, 221-222 CE.
Obv: IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, r.
Rev: VENVS CAELESTIS S C, Venus enthroned l., holding apple and scepter; child standing r. at her feet.
Refs: RIC 408; BMCRE 387; RCV 7729; Cohen 20; Thirion 390.

The man himself:

Elagabalus, 218-222 CE.
Roman AR Denarius, 2.80 g, 18.3 mm, 6 h.
Rome mint, 221-222 CE.
Obv: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right, with horn on top of his head, signifying divine power.
REV: SACERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB, Elagabalus, in priestly robes, standing right, sacrificing over altar and holding cypress branch, star in field, right.
Refs: RIC 131; BMCRE 225-226; Cohen 246; RCV 7542; Thirion 302.

 

Wife #1:

Julia Paula, 219-220 CE.
Roman AR denarius, 3.16 g, 18.6 mm.
Antioch, 219 CE.
Obv: IVLIA PAVLA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: CONCORDIA, emperor and empress standing facing each other, clasping hands.
Refs: RIC 214; BMCRE 318-320; Cohen 12; RCV 7656; CRE 454.

Wife #2 and #4:

Julia Aquilia Severa, 220-222 CE.
Roman AR denarius; 3.18 gm, 19 mm, 6 h.
Rome, 220-222 CE.
Obv: IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: CONCORDIA, Concordia standing left, sacrificing with patera over altar and holding double cornucopiae; star in left field.
Refs: RIC 225; BMCRE 336; Cohen 2; Thirion 476; RCV --; CRE 458.

 

Wife #3:

 

Annia Faustina, 3rd wife of Elagabalus, Augusta, 221 CE.
Roman provincial Æ 25.0 mm, 8.56 g, 6 h.
Pisidia, Isinda.
Obv: ANNIAN FAVCTEINAN, bare-headed and draped bust of Annia Faustina, right.
Rev: Confronted heads of Serapis and Isis, Ι(CI)Ν-ΔΕΩΝ.
Refs: Ex Lindgren I A1322A (Plate coin); von Aulock, Pisidia I 833.
Notes: Busso Peus, Auction 366, lot 888, 29 Oct 2000; ex- Marcel Burstein (Nevada) collection; ex- Lindgren collection.

 

 

[Herodotus]

Elagabalus. (AD 218-222). AR Denarius. Rome mint.

Struck (AD 221).

OBVERSE: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG; Laureate and draped bust right; horned.

REVERSE: P M TR P IIII COS III P P; Elagabalus standing left, holding cypress branch and sacrificing with patera over lighted altar to left; star to left.

RIC IV 46