TETRICUS I (271-274). Aureus. Uncertain workshop.... Lot 22

TETRICUS I (271-274). Aureus. Uncertain workshop. His laurelled, draped and cuirassed bust right. R./IOVI CONSERVATORI. Naked Jupiter standing l. with cloak unfurled behind him, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; at his feet, Tetricus standing in toga. (Calico 3871; RIC V II, 14 p. 403; Cohen 63). Gold. 3.94 g. Flan chip, superb. Extremely rare. Tetricus (271-274) was governor of Aquitaine and, at the request of Victorinus, accepted the empire of Gaul, but unsure of his army, which regularly mutinied, he asked Aurelian to take back the provinces where he ruled. After his "arranged" defeat at the battle of Châlons-sur-Marne, he surrendered to the emperor and appeared at his victor's triumph. He ended his career as governor of Lucania and was placed in the rank of the gods. His coinage is extremely rare. This aureus is part of a discovery made at Gisay le Coudre in Normandie, in the department of Eure. Excavations were subsequently carried out between 1975 and 1986. The finds were donated to the State, with the exception of a few archaeological objects and this aureus by Tetricus, which were kept as souvenirs by the family, in agreement with the DRAC of Upper Normandy.