Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 1066. Closing Date: Jan 
13, 2003. Sold For $5750 

TACITUS. 275-276 AD. AV Heavy Aureus (6.51 gm). 
Siscia mint. IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, radiate, 
draped, and cuirassed bust right / ROMAE 
AET-ERNAE, S C in exergue, Roma seated left on 
shield, holding Victory on globe and spear. Cf. 
RIC V 205 (Aureus; Cyzicus mint); Hunter -; Cohen 
-. Good VF, underlying luster. Unpublished and 
apparently unique. ($7500) 
Commonly attributed to Cyzicus and Antioch, recent hoard 
studies relegate all ROMAE AETERNAE reverses of this type to 
Siscia (cf., e.g., Estiot, pp. 26-29). The similar style of
each mint during Tacitus’ reign may account for the earlier 
confusion. RIC and Cohen list a similar ROMAE AET-ERNAE aureus of 
Tacitus with radiate crown at Siscia, without S C in the exergue 
(cf. RIC V 174; Cohen 111). 
While the present coin’s weight is close enough to be called a 
binio (on the 70 per pound standard), it is uncertain whether the 
variance of weight standard was the result of an attempt to 
employ a new denomination or simply a matter of expediency during 
this chaotic time.

By permisison of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.