Rare antoninianus of Tetricus II (AD 273–274), struck at the mint of Trier in AD 272–273, belongs to the coinage of the final phase of the Gallic Empire, issued during the joint rule with his father, Tetricus I.
The obverse shows a radiate bust of the young Caesar facing right, with the legend C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES, identifying him as the official heir. The engraving style corresponds to Trier issues and is characterized by increasing schematization and simplification typical of the late Gallic coinage, as confirmed by numismatic studies.
The reverse depicts Spes advancing left, holding a flower and lifting her garment, with the legend SPES PVBLICA. As the personification of hope, Spes belongs to the standard iconographic repertoire used for Caesars and serves as a clear ideological message, presenting the young heir as the guarantor of the empire’s future.
The legend SPES PVBLICA (“public hope”) is well attested in numismatic sources and was consistently employed for members of the imperial family introduced into public life. In the case of Tetricus II, it acquires particular significance, as these issues were struck in the final years of the Gallic Empire, shortly before its reintegration into the Roman state under Aurelian.
Roman Imperial
Tetricus II (273–274), Antoninianus 272-273, Treveri mint
Obverse: radiate and draped bust right
C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES
Reverse: Spes walking to left, holding flower and raising robe
SPES PVBLICA
Diameter 18 mm, weight 2.06 g
