Vitellius Small AE (As)

One of the three remaining coins needed for my Twelve Caesars was a small bronze (as or dupondius) of Vitellius. These are quite rare in EF condition, and I've been seeking one for about four years. The Gasvoda collection offered a fantastic as that I knew might be my best chance for the type of coin I wanted.

Vitellius succeeded the short reign of Otho, who himself had been installed in power by the will of the Praetorians (as had Claudius) following Galba's murder. Otho's reign would be short (only three months) and he produced no imperial bronzes; evidently the supply of AEs from Nero's and Galba's reign had been sufficient, at least initially.

Vitellius had also been proclaimed emperor at about the same time as Otho, so a military conflict was inevitable. Vitellius commanded the armies of two legions on the Rhine, the commanders of those legions having abandoned Galba and pledged their support to Vitellius. Shortly thereafter, the governors of Spain, Gaul, and Britain threw their support behind Vitellius as well.

Marching on Rome to claim his title, Vitellius encountered Otho's armies at Bedriacum (now Calvatone, between Verona and Cremona). Otho's armies were soundly defeated in April of 69 AD, and Vitellius continued on to Rome and was recognized as emperor by the Senate. Short-sightedly, however, Vitellius replaced the Praetorian Guard with his troops from Germany and made no attempt to win over the defeated armies of Otho nor troops from other parts of the Empire. This turned out to be a fatal mistake. Vespasian was hailed as emperor in September of 69, setting up another inevitable battle as Vespasian invaded Italy.

At a second battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius' troops were defeated and Vitellius wisely decided to abdicate (influenced by Vespasian's brother). Waiting in Rome for Vespasian, Vitellius was instead captured by Vespasian's troops and assassinated in December 69. According to one history, Vitellius' Praetorian Guard refused to allow him to carry out his agreement with Vespasian, leaving him little if any fate other than assassination.

Vitellius produced eight months of coinage, the bronzes of which can be quite artistic in their portraiture of Vitellius. My recent acquisition is among the best I've seen anywhere:



VITELLIUS 69 A.D.
AE As (11.57 g.) Rome Apr. - Dec. 69 A.D. RIC 171
A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG PM TR P Laureate head right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVGVSTI Concordia seated l., holding cornucopiae and patera over lighted altar; in exergue S C From the Gasvoda collection

The picture does not do the coin justice. The relief of the portrait is just stunning -- here's a weak attempt to illustrate it:



The coin's reverse is almost as high relief as the obverse. All in all, a very satisfying addition to the collection.

The hunt continues for my two remaining coins -- a portrait sestertius of Tiberius, and a small bronze of Augustus.

 

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The relief is super excellent and the patina looks great too. What a beauty all around and my favorite emperor of the 12 caesars.


Vitellius (69 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O: Laureate head right.
R: S P Q R / OB / C S in three lines within wreath.
Rome Mint, 69 A.D.
3g
18.5mm
RIC I 83; RSC 86

 

What a fabulous coin!

 

Fantastic coin-- amazing relief! Congratulations

 

Excellent coin IoM.

 

Outstanding pickup! I'm out of words so I hope the below emoticons convey my body language.

 

Superb coin congrats! I did not realize these were so scarce.

 

That is a great as. The problem is that sestertii of Vitellius are so very impressive that the less common as gets no respect. The as was a useful denomination that year so most would have been spent repeatedly and worn. Congratulations. I admit the one on my want list is from the Tarraco mint (which seem more common than the ones from Rome) but this certainly is a keeper!

 

Fantastic As of Vitellius! I think the detail and condition are extraordinary.

Alas my only Vitellius is this fouree, in which he looks rather zombie like.

Vitellius; AD 68
AR Denarius Fouree;
Obv: A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P, laureate head right /
Rev: XV VIR SACR FAC Tripod, raven below, dolphin above.
(RSC111, BCM39)

 

Gorgeous As. My only Vitellius is an AR Denarius.

 

The Rome mint had some very talented engravers at the time, your coin is proof of that! A most beautiful coin!

 

And this would be mine:

VITELLIUS AR DENARIUS, "VICTORY"

Obverse: Laureate head of Vitellius to right, A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TRP around Reverse: Victory seated left, holding patera in right hand and palm branch in left.
RIC 88, RSC 119, 17.8mm, 3.12 grams, 69 AD





It's not the best Vitellius in the world, but I'm happy with it.

 

That's really freaking awesome. I am jelly!

 

Great Ass wow and great coins all ,my only one, used as jewel.

 

Stunning relief! Your side on pictures also show how nice the patina is, whereas the auction house images leave it up to the imagination. A great pair of purchases!

 

gorgeous, that oblique shot makes it all the sweeter.

 

I only have one Vitellius...but I like it

 

A Vitellius denarius:

XV VIR SACR FAC, tripod-lebes with dolphin above and raven below.
"quindecimvir sacris faciundis"
Denarius. 20-19 mm. 3.42 grams.
Emperor Vitellius, AD 69, Jan. 2 to Dec. 20. Struck April 19 to the beginning of May at Rome, according to RIC.
A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP
"This type--tripod, dolphin, and raven--suggests Apollo, god of prophecy." [BMC ccxxiv]
"Presumably recording his immediate election into the principal priestly colleges." [RIC page 265]
The care of the Sibyline prophecies was the chief function of this college, which is not celebrated on coins of any other emperor.

 

A fantastic buy for sure. Scarce emperor, rare denomination of his in most desirable condition !

How unfair ! After we have seen your beauties, IoM (works for AJ too), the coins we treasure so much look a bit....common

Anyway thanks for showing them.
Q