Tetricus I (AD 271–274) Romano-Gallic Empire BI Double-Denarius NGC Ch AU

Tetricus I — The Last Emperor of Roman Gaul

This billon double-denarius represents Tetricus I, the final ruler of the breakaway Romano-Gallic Empire. Its history belongs to a period when Roman provinces in the West maintained their own emperors, administration and coinage while still following Roman traditions.

Coin Details

• Ruler: Tetricus I
• Reign and issue period: AD 271–274
• Empire/region: Romano-Gallic Empire; principally Gaul and Britain
• Denomination: Double-denarius, conventionally called an antoninianus
• Composition: BI — billon, a copper-rich alloy containing silver
• NGC grade: Ch AU — Choice About Uncirculated
• Sheldon-scale equivalent: 55–58
• Quantity supplied: One encapsulated coin

The Sheldon-scale number is an equivalent associated with the stated ancient-coin grade; it is not a separate numerical grade assigned to the coin.

Tetricus I and His Place in Roman History

Tetricus was a senator and provincial governor before becoming emperor after the death of Victorinus in AD 271. He inherited the separate western regime that had begun under Postumus in AD 260. His rule was an attempt to maintain that existing government rather than establish an entirely new political tradition.

The main Roman emperor, Aurelian, sought to reunite the divided empire. In AD 274 he defeated the forces of Tetricus, bringing the Romano-Gallic regime to an end. Tetricus survived the defeat and was treated with clemency. His coins therefore mark the closing years of an imperial division that lasted for more than a decade.

What the Coin Tells Us

The double-denarius had changed dramatically since its introduction as a silver coin early in the third century. By the time of Tetricus, the copper-rich composition reflected the monetary pressures of the age. The abbreviation BI identifies billon and should not be read as a guarantee of a specified silver percentage or bright silver appearance.

A Roman-style portrait, imperial titles and familiar reverse themes helped present the western ruler as an emperor in his own right. Differences in engraving and inscriptions make the series useful for studying how separate mints expressed that claim. The exact portrait style, reverse and mint of the coin supplied may vary within this representative offering.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one billon double-denarius of Tetricus I in an NGC Ancients holder, graded Ch AU (Choice About Uncirculated). A specific mint, issue year, reverse design, inscription, weight or diameter is not promised unless expressly stated above.

Stock-photo notice: The photographs are representative of the product offering. The coin supplied may differ from the pictured example in portrait style, reverse design, inscriptions, centering, toning, surface appearance and other individual characteristics while remaining within the stated coin type and any expressly stated grade.