© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Antoninianus - Tacitus SPES PVBLICA; Spes
| Silver | 3.6 g | 22 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Tacitus (Marcus Claudius Tacitus) (275-276) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 275-276 |
| Value | Antoninianus (1) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.6 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#291696 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Spes, draped, walking left, holding flower in right hand and raising robe with left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SPES PVBLICA
-/-//CA
Translation:
Spes Publica.
Hope of the public.
Comment
Mass varies: 2.7–4.66 g;Diameter varies: 21–23 mm;
Example of this type:
American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Antoninianus coin was introduced during the reign of Emperor Tacitus in 275-276 AD, and it was the first coin to feature a Roman Emperor with a beard. This was a significant departure from the traditional clean-shaven image of Roman Emperors and signaled a shift towards a more militaristic and rugged image. The coin's design also featured the goddess Spes (Hope) on the reverse side, which was a common motif during the Crisis of the Third Century, a period of political instability and external threats to the Roman Empire.
