IONIA. Ephesus. Macrinus, 217-218. Hexassarion (Bronze, 34 mm, 20.14 g, 6 h). [AVT K M] OΠЄΛ • CЄOVH MAKPЄINOC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Macrinus to right. Rev. PΩMAIΩN NЄI - KH TYXH ЄΦЄ/C[I]/ΩΝ Nike standing right with her left foot set on globe, affixing shield on palm tree. BMC -. Karwiese 610. Mionnet III.1 - . Extremely rare. Slightly rough, otherwise, about very fine.


Quite interestingly, the reverse legend, which sets this coin apart from those carrying the usual formulas citing Ephesus' multiple neocorate and its status as the 'first (city) of Asia', can be translated as 'the Victory of the Romans, the Fortune of the Ephesians'. Although the reverse type was copied from an issue of Caracalla (Karwiese 513), the legend appears to be unique in the entire series.