Tetricus II- SPES REBVPLICA

Tetricus II, Caesar mid 271 - spring 274 A.D.

Obverse:
Radiate draped and cuirassed bust right

The words CVS CAES being visible in front of the radiate bust of the youthful, unbearded male.


C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES IMP
C: Caius
PIV: Pius
ESV: Esuvius
TETRICVS: Tetricus
Caes: Caes
IMP: Imperator

Reverse:
SPES PVBLICA

SPES: Hope
PVBLICA: Republic

Showing: Spes advancing left, holding flower in right and raising skirt with left.


Domination: Antoninianus, Bronze, size 18 mm
Mint: Gallic???

Caius Pius Esuvius Tetricus II was the son of the Governor of Aquitaine, in the breakaway Gallo-Roman Empire (Gaul, Spain, and Britain) established by Postumus. After Victorinus, the successor to Postumus, was murdered, Tetricus' father was acclaimed Tetricus I, Augustus. His father later elevated the young Caius to Caesar, but their reign was cut short, peacefully, when Tetricus deserted his own troops to surrender to Aurelian. In gratitude, Aurelian later restored Tetricus I as a Senator, and even installed him as Governor of Lucania, and Tetricus II returned to normal life, as a private citizen.