IONIA. Ephesus. Macrinus (217-218). Ae.

Obv: AVT K M OΠЄΛ CЄOV MAKPЄINOC CЄB.
Laureate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ΠЄΙΩΝ A / ЄΦЄСΙΩΝ.
Mountain-god Pion reclining left, holding statue of Artemis Ephesia and cornucopia; distyle temple and tree to left; in background above, tower and boar pierced by spear advancing right (allusing to the foundation myth of Ephesus).

RPC V.2 online - (unassigned; ID 109); Karwiese 612.

Very rare

According to Strabo, Ephesus was founded by the Ionians led by Androklos, son of the legendary king of Athens, Codrus. Androklos consulted the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, who instructed him to found the city “where the fish and the boar point.” Sailing across the Aegean Sea, they arrived at the bay at the mouth of the Kaystros River, between hills Pion and Coressus, and decided to go ashore. While the colonists were lighting a fire to cook the fish they had caught, a wild boar came out of the bushes to steal some fish and run away, thus fulfilling the prophecy.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 22.90 g.
Diameter: 36 mm.