CNG 106, Lot: 617. Estimate $500. Sold for $2500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem). Macrinus. AD 217-218. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 11.31 g, 12h). AVT K M O[Π CЄ MA]KPINCC ЄCB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left / ΔHMAPX Є VΠATOC, eagle standing facing, head and tail right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; wine jug(?) between legs. Meshorer, Aelia –; Prieur 1644 corr. (legends) = Bellinger 386; Sofaer –. Good VF, toned, minor roughness. Extremely rare, the second known example.

Bellinger purchased his piece in the bazaar of Damascus and did not assign it to any particular mint. Based on stylistic links to coins of Diadumenian, Prieur placed the issue at Jerusalem.