★ Probably Unique & of the Highest Interest ★

PAPHLAGONIA. SINOPE. Macrinus (AD 217–218). AE (25 mm, 10.91 g) AD 217.

IMP MA–CRIN[...] Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust of Macrinus right, seen from front. / C I F [SIN]OP CCLXI Nude human leg right, surmounted by bull head; in front small lighted altar. BMC –; RG –; unpublished. Of the highest numismatic interest. Probably unique. Dark green patina with earthen deposits. Reverse slightly off center. Very fine.

This probably unpublished coin type shows on its reverse a highly unusual cult image composed of a human leg surmounted by a bull’s head, alluding to Serapis – one of the most important deities of Sinope – and the Apis bull especially, in which the soul of Osiris lives on. The imagery of this coin is extremely rare and can be found in the provincial coinage of Antoninus Pius (RPC IV.1, 4936 (temporary); 3 specimens) and Severus Alexander (RPC VI, 6488 (temporary); 5 specimens), both types minted in Sinope.