Very rare antoninianus of Macrianus Major (AD 260–261), struck at the mint of Antioch, belongs to a short and clearly defined emission issued during the eastern usurpation that followed the capture of Valerian I by the Persians. The coinage of Macrianus represents one of the key sources for understanding attempts to seize power in the eastern provinces during the severe political crisis of the mid-3rd century.
The obverse presents a radiate and cuirassed bust facing right, with the legend IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG, giving his full titulature as Pius Felix Augustus. Coins of Macrianus are scarce, a direct consequence of the brevity of his rule and the limited territorial scope of his authority.
The reverse depicts Spes standing left, holding a flower and lifting the hem of her garment, with the legend SPES PVBLICA, and a star in the left field. Spes, as the personification of hope, was a standard motif employed by rulers at the beginning of their reigns, particularly in the context of legitimizing newly established authority.
The legend SPES PVBLICA (“public hope”) refers to the idea of renewal and stabilization of the state under the new ruler. In the context of Macrianus’ usurpation, the motif takes on particular significance as part of a propagandistic message intended to affirm the durability and legitimacy of his rule.
A historically attested detail is that Macrianus, as a high-ranking financial official, played a central role in organizing resistance in the East after Valerian’s defeat; however, he never reached Rome, and his reign ended with military defeat in AD 261 circumstances that directly contribute to the rarity of his coinage.
Roman Imperial
Macrianus (Usurper, 260-261), Antoninianus, Antioch mint
Obverse: radiate and cuirassed bust right
IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG
Reverse: Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising hem of skirt, star in left field
SPES PVBLICA
Diameter 22 mm, weight 3.47 g
