On his deathbed, Septimius Severus had instructed his son Caracalla to prioritize the military above all. While he was attentive to the threatened borders and introduced reforms to support the soldiers, the constant campaigning in desert climates exasperated his troops. They murdered him at Carrhae (modern Turkey), and proclaimed the leader of the coup Augustus -- the Praetorian Prefect Marcus Opellius Macrinus. Macrinus was an interesting choice, and probably one of convenience more than an adept imperial fit, as he became the first emperor lacking senatorial rank. During violent transitions of power such as this (and much like the Severan family’s own ascent), it was common to associate oneself with the former Principate in order to hastily legitimize oneself. In the case of this aureus, Macrinus takes the name of Severus. Despite the irony, it was a clever means of projecting security, often belying the brutal reality. Macrinus struggled to define his iconography with consistency, borrowing from previous rulers, as well. His portrait oscillates between characteristics of the Antonine dynasty, with long hair and beard, and that of the Severans, with short-shorn hair and military stubble. The reverse image of Annona symbolizes the grain supply, holding a cornucopia and modius (grain measure), further communicating stability and provision to the populace. In actuality, he mismanaged the army, and within a year was slaughtered by Caracalla’s same assassins. KHK.