Tacitus, 275-276. Aureus (Gold, 21 mm, 4.67 g, 5 h), Siscia, November 275-June 275. IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust of Tacitus to right. Rev. ROMAE AE-TERNAE Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory in her right hand and scepter in her left; at her side, shield. Calicó 4092a corr. ('Rome'). Cohen -. Estiot, L'or Romain II, - (D47/-). RIC 75 corr. ('Rome'). RIC V online 3598. A very rare bust variety. Sharply struck and with some underlying luster, a very attractive piece. Light deposits and with a few minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.

The short reign of Tacitus would not be particularly noteworthy were it not for the portrayal of him in later senatorial historiography as a figurehead of the 'good senatorial ruler'. Tacitus ascended to the throne in late 275 at an advanced age, after the downfall of Aurelian. He was reportedly in his seventies and of senatorial rank, both of which were unusual in an era when the army typically appointed young and energetic generals of humble origin. Later senatorial historians depicted Tacitus in glowing terms, claiming that he was not acclaimed emperor by the army but by a senatorial decree after a six-month interregnum. According to these accounts, Tacitus was a pious ruler who respected the dignity of the Senate and spent much time publishing the works of his supposed ancestor, the historian Tacitus of the 1st and 2nd centuries. However, this is clearly fictional: Tacitus was almost certainly made emperor by the Danubian legions, as reported by Zonaras, suggesting that he was a well-known general who had earned the respect of the soldiers. His advanced age implies his appointment was likely seen as an interim arrangement, possibly because Aurelian's assassination had not been part of a wider conspiracy and had taken the army by surprise. Tacitus died in the summer of 276, after little more than six months on the throne, leaving it to his brother Florian, who was soon overthrown by Probus in the autumn of the same year.