Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 1066. Estimate $7500.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $5750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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 Unpublished and apparently unique. (See color enlargement on plate 17.) ($7500) 

Although 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 employed at each mint during Tacitus’ reign may account for the earlier confusion. Interestingly, RIC and Cohen catalogue a similar ROMAE AET ERNAE aureus of Tacitus with radiate crown at Siscia, though there is no S C in the reverse exergue (cf. RIC V 174; Cohen 111). Siscia was the prime mint in terms of output during Tacitus’ reign, as testament to the ongoing military situation with the Goths along the frontier. As further testament, West (Gold and Silver Coin Standards in the Roman Empire, ANSNNM 94 (1941)) observed that the typical weight standard of Tacitus’ aurei, of 70 per pound, was not applicable at Siscia. In fact, he found the weights to be highly chaotic, “although they seem to indicate a basis of 60 per pound.” 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 a conscious attempt to emply a new denomination or simply a matter of expediency during this time of chaos.