Aureus - Macrinus SALVS PVBLICA; Salus
| Gold | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Macrinus (Marcus Opellius Macrinus) (217-218) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 217-218 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#275100 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Salus, draped, seated left on throne with high back, feeding out of patera in left hand snake coiled round altar and placing right hand on head of snake.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SALVS PVBLICA
Translation:
Salus Publica.
Public health.
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Aureus coin bearing the image of Macrinus (SALVS PVBLICA; Salus) was minted during a time of great turmoil in the Roman Empire. Macrinus, who was a Praetorian prefect, seized power after the assassination of Emperor Caracalla in 217 AD. However, his reign was short-lived, as he was overthrown and executed by the Praetorian Guard in 218 AD. Despite this political instability, the coinage issued during Macrinus' reign, including the Aureus coin, continued to bear the traditional imagery and inscriptions of Roman coinage, such as the goddess Salus (Salvation) on the reverse, symbolizing the empire's enduring spirit and resilience.
