Tacitus Antoninianus — Short-Reigned Emperor After Aurelian

Own a Coin from the Emperor Who Ruled During Rome's Uncertain Transition of AD 275–276

A real Roman antoninianus of Tacitus—the short-reigned emperor who succeeded Aurelian and campaigned against Gothic and Herulian raiders before dying only months into his reign.

✓ NGC Certified
✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ 30-Day Returns

📷 Coin shown is a representative example. You will receive one authentic NGC-certified antoninianus of Tacitus. Each coin is unique and will vary in grade, strike, centering, preservation, silvering, and individual appearance.

🏛 Issued during the unsettled succession following Aurelian's assassination
⚔️ Connected to campaigns against Gothic and Herulian raiders in Asia Minor
🤲 An NGC-certified antoninianus from one of the briefest reigns of the later Third Century

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

After the assassination of Aurelian in AD 275, the Roman Empire faced another uncertain succession.

Later literary sources—especially the Historia Augusta—describe an extraordinary six-month interregnum in which the army supposedly deferred to the Senate, which then selected the elderly senator Marcus Claudius Tacitus. That dramatic constitutional story is not considered secure by modern historians and should not be treated as established fact.

What can be said with confidence is that Tacitus became emperor in late AD 275 and was recognized by the imperial government and army. His exact age is also uncertain; the traditional claim that he was about seventy-five comes from late sources and may be exaggerated.

His reign was brief but active.

Tacitus campaigned in Asia Minor against Gothic and Herulian raiders and received the title Gothicus Maximus. Only months later, in AD 276, he died. Ancient accounts disagree over whether illness or violence caused his death.

This authentic antoninianus was struck during those few months and preserves the portrait of an emperor whose accession and death are both less certain than the later literary tradition suggests.

Perfect For

• Collectors of Crisis of the Third Century coinage
• Students of Roman imperial succession
• Enthusiasts of short-reign emperors
• NGC-certified ancient coin collectors
• Anyone looking for a historically significant and unusual gift

What You'll Receive

• One authentic Roman antoninianus of Tacitus
• Civilization: Roman Empire
• Ruler: Tacitus (AD 275–276)
• Denomination: Antoninianus
• NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
• Presented in an NGC holder
• Representative example of the type (each coin is unique)

Continue the Story

Tacitus's death was followed by another rapid succession struggle. His half-brother Florian briefly claimed the throne before Probus emerged victorious and continued the military recovery begun under Aurelian.

Explore our other Roman, Byzantine, Biblical, Greek, medieval, and world coin collections to continue your journey through the rulers, civilizations, and events that changed history.

Buy with Confidence

• NGC certified for authenticity and preservation
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

New to Ancient Coins?

Start your journey here:

kinzercoins.com/collections/im-new-to-ancient-coins

Learn More

Continue the story in the Kinzer Coins Journal: Emperor Tacitus Coins: Collecting Rome’s Six-Month Emperor.