Tacitus, Potin Tetradrachm

Tacitus, Potin Tetradrachm

Tacitus, Potin Tetradrachm of Alexandria. 275-276 CE.
OBVERSE: A K KL TAKI-TOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuiassed bust right.
REVERSE: Dikaiosyne (Aequitas) standing left with scales and cornucopiae, ETOVC-A (year 1).

Tacitus claimed to be the descendent of the famous historian, but whether this claim is true remains to be seen. There is much disagreement about his reign, from the way he came to power to the way he died. He may have been one of the only emperors of this time period to come to power without the support of the army but, as historians study this further, it seems unlikely that was possible. It is also unknown whether he died a natural death while on campaign in Cappadocia in 276 CE, or if he was murdered.

This coin has Greek inscriptions, reflecting its minting-place of Alexandria, where the common language was Greek.

Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.056

ca. 275-276 CE

Hallie Ford Museum of Art

0.815 in
0.310 oz

Greek

Coin

This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.