A High Grade Roman Newp

Aethelred · May 24, 2016 10:08AM

The following coin was minted during the brief reign of Tacitus. Tacitus was in his 70s when he became Emperor in December 275. He claimed to be descended from the famous historian who shared his name, but there is no way to confirm those claims at this late date. The circumstances of his selection as Emperor are not clear, but he seems to have been favored by the Senate, but not the military. The events of his season on the throne are confusing and there are often more than one account of any event. Tacitus does seem to have gone east to fight (a fact which brings even his age into question). In June of 276 after six or seven months of rule he is reported to have died of a fever AND after six or seven months on the throne he is reported to have been assassinated and his half brother grabbed power.

The example below was issued in AD 276 at the Roman mint operating at Lugdunum. The seller had it mis-attributed as RIC V 328 (which oddly is an RIC number that does not exist for Tacitus) It is in fact RIC V 14.

Photograph courtesy of the seller.

lordmarcovan · May 24, 2016 10:34AM

That's a very sharp one. Looks like there is some trace silvering, too?

I always wondered how an emperor came to share a name with a writer.

JCMhouston · May 24, 2016 12:32PM

Very nice Aethelred.

Zohar · May 24, 2016 12:41PM

Great write-up and coin. Interesting that he took power in his 70s. Most of these gentlemen in power seemed to have been assassinated younger as a matter of practice, so I guess he made a run for it at a later age.

asheland · May 25, 2016 1:21AM

I like these write ups! Very interesting!

Aethelred · May 25, 2016 9:48PM

Thank you. To me the history of this period in Rome, when everything had fallen apart, is very interesting. Had it not been for a few key people we might have beentalking about the fall of Rome in 276 not 476.

asheland · May 26, 2016 2:51AM

Interesting point! I love the history associated with my items, too. As you well know.
The history is just as cool as the item in hand!

TwoKopeiki · May 26, 2016 6:22AM

Originally posted by: asheland

I like these write ups! Very interesting!

Absolutely!

Andres · May 26, 2016 6:54AM

According to Zander Klawans Tacitus was elected emperor by the senate, and 6 months later killed by his soldiers at the age of 76
his (half) brother and successor Florianus only lasted 2 weeks as emperor (killed in battle)

Aethelred · May 26, 2016 10:38AM

Originally posted by: Andres
According to Zander Klawans Tacitus was elected emperor by the senate, and 6 months later killed by his soldiers at the age of 76
his (half) brother and successor Florianus only lasted 2 weeks as emperor (killed in battle)

I love Zander Klawans' books, his "Reading and Dating Roman Imperial Coins" is the book that got me started as a teenager and sustained for for the first year or so that I collected. I still use his books every now and then and I love looking at them because to me there is something almost magical about them and they help me recapture that early, soul-stirring passion that I had for Roman coins.

However, some or Klawans dates and facts are now known to be incorrect and I would not bet on anything I didn't have a second source for.

A High Grade Roman Newp

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