TACITUS (275-276). Aureus. Serdica.

Obv: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG.
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE / S C.
Roma seated left on throne, holding spear and crowning Victory; shield below.

RIC V online 3918.

Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 97 (2005), lot 1838 (catalogued as Rome). Tacitus was elected consul in AD 273, together with Julius Placidianus. According to the Historia Augusta he held various public offices, before the army acclaimed him emperor upon Aurelian's death in the autumn of AD 275, while he was in Terni. He travelled to Rome and received the endorsement of the Roman Senate after a two-month interregnum. According to tradition he was about 75 years old. He immediately had Aurelian deified and the conspirators involved in his assassination sentenced to death. He was very respectful towards the Senate, when can find the iscription "clementia temporum" on his coins, while he did not have himself proclaimed Deus et Dominus like Aurelian and there are no coins bearing Sol Invictus. Instead, some of Tacitus' coins bear the SC (Senato Consulto) inscription, like this Aureus, while others are dedicated to the Genius Senatus. This undoubtedly gave him the favour of the Senate

Condition: Very fine; plugged hole.

Weight: 4.67 g.
Diameter: 21 mm.