Provincial issue of the pentassarion denomination struck at Marcianopolis in Moesia Inferior under the authority of Furius Pontianus (legatus consularis) belongs to a compact series produced during the joint reign of Macrinus and Diadumenian, when civic coinage functioned as a clear vehicle of political messaging.
The obverse presents confronted busts of both rulers (vis-à-vis), with the legend AVT K OΠEΛ CEVH MAKPEINOC K M OΠEΛ ANTΩNEINOC, giving their full names and titulature and directly emphasizing co-rule and dynastic continuity.
The reverse depicts Nemesis standing left, holding a balance and a cornucopia, with a wheel shown to the left, accompanied by the legend YΠ ΠONTIANOY MAPKIANOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ and the letter E in the field, indicating the pentassarion denomination. Nemesis, as the embodiment of justice and equilibrium, occupies a significant place in civic iconography, particularly in contexts stressing order and moral balance.
Roman Provincial
Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, Macrinus and Diadumenian, Pentassarion
Obverse: busts of Macrinus and Diadumenian vis à vis
AVT K OΠEΛ CEVH MAKPEINOC K M OΠEΛ ANTΩNEINOC
Reverse: Nemesis standing left, holding scales and cornucopia, wheel to left, in right field E (mark of value)
YΠ ΠONTIANOY MAPKIANOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ
Diameter 26 mm, weight 10.76 g
