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Tetradrachm - Tacitus ETOYC A
| Issuer | Alexandria Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 275-276 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Reverse description | An eagle stands facing left with wings spread, head turned to the right, rendered in the bold provincial style characteristic of Alexandrian tetradrachms. The bird is depicted with detailed feathering across the wings and body. To the left of the eagle appears the regnal year legend, and to the right the year numeral A (1), denoting the first regnal year of Tacitus. The composition is centered on the flan with the eagle occupying the majority of the reverse field, consistent with the standard reverse type employed for this series. |
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| Reverse lettering | ETOYC A (Translation: `ἔτους A : `1st (regnal) year`.) |
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| Additional information |
Tacitus ruled for barely eight months before dying in June 276 AD — of illness, according to most ancient sources, though assassination by his own soldiers remains a competing theory. The Alexandrian mint's first-year issues under his name, designated ETOYC A, were struck almost simultaneously with his proclamation as emperor, the Senate having selected him to fill the vacuum left by Aurelian's murder. That political urgency is reflected in how quickly the Alexandria mint aligned to the new regime despite being weeks of travel from Rome.
The references cluster around Milne 4502 and 4504 as distinct die groupings within this single regnal year — a reminder that even an eight-month reign generated enough mint activity to produce catalogued varieties.