He circulated copies of the historian Gaius Cornelius Tacitus' work, which was barely read at the time, and so we perhaps have him to thank for the partial survival of Tacitus' work. His claimed descent from the historian is most likely a fabrication, however.
In the course of his long life he discharged the duties of various civil offices, including that of consul in 273, with universal respect.
After the assassination of Aurelian, Tacitus was chosen by the Senate to succeed him. This was the last time the Senate elected a Roman Emperor.
He died of fever at Tyana in Cappadocia in June 276.
Reverse: eagle right, head left, wreath in beak; ETOVC A
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.6 g
Reverse: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe and cornucopia
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Reverse: Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe and cornucopia; PROVIDENTIA DEORVM / XXIS
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.1 g
Reverse: Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia; AEQVITAS AVG / Γ / XXI
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.85 g
Reverse: Salus standing half left, holding patera and scepter, feeding snake rising from altar; SALVS AVG / XXIΔ
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
Reverse: Tacitus in military dress standing right, holding short eagle-tipped scepter and receiving globe from Jupiter standing left, holding long scepter; CLEMENTIA T_EMP / E / XI
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.9 g
Reverse: TEMPORVM FELICITAS - Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and a cornucopiae, A-* across fields.
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 3.37 g
Reverse: FELICITAS SAECVLI / C-* - Felicitas standing left, holding patera over small altar in right hand, long-handled caduceus in left hand; C-* across fields..
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 4.62 g