CILICIA. Mallus. Macrinus, 217-218. Hexassarion (Bronze, 37 mm, 25.00 g, 6 h), CY 283 = spring-summer 217. ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙϹ ΜΑΡΚ ΟΠЄΛ ϹЄΥΗΡ ΜΑΚΡЄΙΝΟΝ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Macrinus to right; before, circular countermark: uncertain design (bust to right within wreath?). Rev. ΜΑΛΛWT•ΙЄΡ•ΠΟΛ - ΘЄΟ•ΑΜΦΙΛΟΧΟΥ / ЄT ΓΠC Zeus seated left on throne, holding small Nike presenting wreath and palm in his right hand and scepter in his left. RPC V.3 -. SNG Levante -. SNG von Aulock -. For countermark: Howgego -. Unpublished and unique, and of great chronological importance. A lovely coin with a very unusual portrait and a lovely green patina. Minor areas of weakness and faint scratches, otherwise, good very fine.

Until now, coins of Macrinus and Diadumenian were only known from the year ΔΠC = 284. However, this piece, featuring a new reverse type, clearly shows the date ΓΠC = 283. According to the standard era count used in RPC, which begins in 68/7 BC, this would correspond to the year 215/6 AD - an obvious inconsistency, as Macrinus only ascended the throne in April 217. RPC cites BMC p. CXXIV (not CCXIV, as mistakenly referenced) as the source for its dating of the Mallian era (RPC I, p. 592). However, the BMC catalogue does not state that the era began in 68/7 BC but rather in 'autumn 68 or 67 BC'. By counting back 283 years from 217 AD, our coin provides conclusive evidence that the Mallian era actually began in 67 BC, not earlier. This means the piece dates to 216/7 and must have been minted within the first weeks or months of Macrinus’ reign, after April but before autumn 217. In contrast, all other known coins of Macrinus and Diadumenian bear the date 284 = 217/218, meaning they were struck between autumn 217 and, at the latest, June 218, when the emperors fell. This redating of the Mallian era to 67 BC necessitates a revision of the few other dated issues from the city: they too must be re-dated one year later