Vitellius has been a particularly difficult emperor in terms of finding bronzes for my collection. Today I took delivery of a sestertius that fits pretty well with the other portrait sestertii in my collection: VITELLIUS 69 A.D. AE Sestertius (29.78 g.) Rome Apr. - Dec. 69 A.D. A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP AVG P M TR P Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. MARS VICTOR S – C Mars, helmeted and in military dress, striding l., holding Victory in r. hand, parazonium at side and trophy over l. shoulder. I suspect the quoted weight is incorrect, since the coin feels similar in weight to my other sestertii, all of which weigh in the 26g. - 28g. range. However, I don't currently have access to a scale with enough precision to check this. [Edit/Note: Dealer has informed me the weight is a typo and should be 29.78g. so I've corrected this.] The reverse has a very weak strike in the 9 o'clock - 12 o'clock area (you can't even see Victory being held in this area), but otherwise the coin is quite well struck and the portrait compares favorably to most coins of this type. This leaves two remaining sestertii (Tiberius and Titus) to complete my 12 Caesars large bronzes.
Weak strike aside, this is a very nice coin. Great portrait and other than the legend the detail on the reverse looks pretty darn good to me. I believe you are correct about the weight. Do you have it in hand? This will be a wonderful set once complete. Are the two remaining coins hard to come by? I would think Titus would be much easier than Tiberius.
It seems like a choice example for the type, notwithstanding the weak strike - and certainly not something you see offered every day. Well-done!
Sestertii of Titus are much more readily available than sestertii of Tiberius; according to my dealer, Tiberius' sestertii are very rare, while those of Titus are relatively common. But in my research into Titus' sestertii, finding one with a "cool" reverse, such as a horseman, can be very pricey. Yes, I have this coin in hand, and its weight is definitely comparable to my other sestertii - it's clear even without using a scale.
I thought the Titus Sestertii would be less rare than Tiberius. I'm not sure why Tiberius coins are hard to come by, especially in good condition. Even the Denarii are more pricey relatively speaking (not counting Caligula, Claudius, Galba and Otho).
IM01, awesome task, i would love to see what sestertius you have for Julius Caesar, if you have a pic i would like to see it..
Now, that is a coin you can write home about. Bronzes of Vitellius are scarce, and the Mars Victor type is scarcer than the usually encountered Pax Augusti. Your example is one of the better Mars Victor types I have seen, with a well struck and expressive portrait of Vitellius. Congratulations is certainly due!
It is outstanding and a great portrait...that is...btw...my focus as well...portraits. Well, not just portraits but I will sacrifice a reverse for a strong portrait any day. Just wondering...weren't Sestertius cast not struck?
Why i ask, i'm trying to build the popular 12 Caesar's in bronze, i gave up on the AR, there are just a few bronze of Julius Caesar, that's why i wanted to see yours..
