Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1519. Closing Date: May 21, 
2003. Sold For $2100 

TACITUS. 275-276 AD. AV Heavy Aureus (6.56 gm). 
Tripolis mint. IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, laureate, 
draped, and cuirassed bust right / P M TB P VI COS 
II P P, Mars walking right, holding spear and 
trophy; pellet in exergue. Cf. Estiot, "Aurélian 
et Tacite: Monnaies d'or et faux modernes," BSFN 9 
(1990), fig. 4 (same obverse die). Good VF, gilt 
and ex jewelry. ($3000)

Estiot believes this coin to be based one of the final issues of Aurelian at Tripolis that contained this exact reverse legend and 
type (cf. MIR 47, 384d and pl. 143). The only known authenic Tacitus 
specimen, in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (Estiot, fig. 4), is 
reverse-die linked to this issue of Aurelian. While there are a 
number of forgeries of this type, Estiot identified features of 
the false reverse dies: the TB P is changed to TR P and there is 
no dot on the reverse. This coin has the TB P and pellet, thus it 
is the second known authentic specimen. All of the coins, authenic 
and false, published by Estiot share the same obverse die. 

From the CNG Mail Bid Sale 63.

By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.