Sestertius of Macrinus (forgery) 217 - 218

Curator: We're looking at a sestertius, a bronze coin of Macrinus, though it's considered a forgery. Editor: Immediately, the texture and layering of the designs are striking. The obverse feels weighty, almost oppressive. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these were tools of propaganda. Macrinus had a very short reign; these coins helped legitimize his power after a military coup. Editor: On the reverse, we see figures that lack individual presence. They’re more symbolic, emphasizing the collective strength of the army, "FIO EXERCIT," as inscribed. Curator: Right. It speaks volumes about Macrinus's need to project military support. The flatness reduces any sense of space. Editor: The circular form itself reinforces notions of empire and totality. It's amazing how much these tiny objects communicated. Curator: Indeed. Even this forged object shows how powerful a symbol the sestertius was in the Roman world.