Tacitus - Antoninianus, SPES PVBLICA, Lugdunum

A strong late Roman antoninianus of Tacitus, who ruled briefly during the unstable years of the late third century. Tacitus came to power after the death of Aurelian and reigned only for a short period in AD 275–276, making his coinage a compact but interesting part of the so-called Crisis of the Third Century.

The obverse shows Tacitus wearing the radiate crown, the standard mark of the antoninianus denomination, with the imperial legend naming him as Marcus Claudius Tacitus Augustus. The reverse carries the legend SPES PVBLICA, meaning “Hope of the Public” or “Hope of the State.” Spes, the Roman personification of hope, advances left holding a flower and raising the hem of her robe.

This was a fitting reverse message for a newly elevated emperor attempting to project renewal and stability after a period of political uncertainty. The type was struck at Lugdunum, modern Lyon, with CA in the exergue. Related OCRE/RIC listings for this type record the same SPES PVBLICA reverse with Spes walking left and CA below, with typical examples around 21–23 mm and roughly 2.7–4.66 g, matching this coin well.

This example is attractive for the type, with a clear standing figure of Spes, strong central detail, and dark toned surfaces with traces of the original silvering. A nice representative coin from one of Rome’s shortest-reigning emperors.

Roman Empire. Tacitus, AD 275–276. Silvered billon antoninianus. Lugdunum mint, AD 275–276.

Obverse: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Tacitus right.

Reverse: SPES PVBLICA; Spes advancing left, holding flower and raising robe; CA in exergue.

Mint: Lugdunum, Gaul — modern Lyon, France.

Denomination: Antoninianus.

Metal: Silvered billon / silvered bronze.

Weight: 3.95 g.

Diameter: 22.8 mm.

Reference: cf. RIC V.1 60; RIC V.1 61 var.

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