Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
Antoninianus - Tetricus I SPES PVBLICA
| Issuer | Gallic Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 272-273 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Tetricus I facing right, wearing the characteristic radiate crown with multiple pointed rays. The emperor is depicted with a short beard, rendered in the late Roman provincial style typical of Gallic Empire coinage. The peripheral Latin legend IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG runs around the bust, partially visible on the irregular flan. The portraiture reflects the declining artistic quality characteristic of Gallic Empire antoniniani of this period. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Tetricus I ruled the Gallic Empire under constant military pressure, and by 272–273 his authority was visibly crumbling — Tetricus II had been elevated as co-emperor largely to project dynastic stability that didn't exist. The SPES PVBLICA reverse type, invoking public hope, appeared with almost cynical frequency in this terminal phase of the breakaway empire. Within months of this issue, Tetricus surrendered to Aurelian at the Battle of Châlons, reportedly having sent secret overtures to Aurelian beforehand, effectively negotiating his own defeat.
Billon content in late Gallic Empire antoninianii had degraded severely by this point, often approaching silver levels indistinguishable from base metal washes.