Tacitus Roman Billon Antoninianus (AD 275-276) NGC

Own a certified Roman Billon Antoninianus of Tacitus (AD 275–276), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin marks the brief but noteworthy reign of a rare Senate-chosen emperor during one of Rome’s most turbulent centuries.

After the assassination of Aurelian, the Roman Senate briefly reclaimed its ancient right to name an emperor and selected Tacitus, an Italian-born statesman of advanced age and considerable respectability. His claimed descent from the famous Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus helped bolster his prestige in a time when many emperors rose purely through military power.

Tacitus quickly moved to secure the empire’s troubled frontiers. He campaigned against the Goths and Heruli, tribes that had taken advantage of the instability following Aurelian's death. His successful actions in these conflicts earned him the title Gothicus Maximus. However, his reign was short-lived; he died of plague while still on campaign in 276 AD.

Billon Antoniniani of Tacitus typically feature his laureate and draped bust on the obverse, while the reverses celebrate military victories, Roman virtues, or divine protection — standard themes emphasizing stability and imperial legitimacy in an era of frequent upheaval.

Certified by NGC, this Billon Antoninianus offers collectors a glimpse into a fleeting moment when the Senate briefly reasserted its authority, and into the life of an emperor who sought to restore Roman traditions amid a rapidly changing world.