Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
After buying an upgraded Vitellius, I'm contemplating trying to sell the first one
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="DonnaML, post: 4603067, member: 110350"]A little more than two years ago, I bought a Vitellius denarius that would probably be considered a "budget" example, given how much really nice Vitellius coins cost. Not a terrible coin by any means -- his name is readable, and there's actually quite a bit of detail left on his face -- but certainly not a great one either, given the loss of detail on the reverse and the surface roughness. I admit that I bought it more for the sake of having a Vitellius, than because I was in love with the coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>Vitellius AR Denarius 69 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TRP/ Rev. Jupiter seated left holding a scepter and Victory left, IVPPITER VICTOR. RIC I 75, RSC II 44, Sear RCV I 2197, BMCRE 8. 19.5 mm., 2.77 g.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1140158[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>I've never been completely content with this coin -- as I said, I wasn't in love with it from the beginning -- so I recently decided to "upgrade" a little and bought a somewhat nicer Vitellius denarius. It's not in wonderful condition itself -- there's a lot of wear (and/or a weak strike or worn die; I'm not good at telling the difference!) on Vitellius's hair -- but it has better surfaces, the legends are all visible on both sides, it has an interesting reverse, and, besides, I liked it!</p><p><br /></p><p>Vitellius AR Denarius, Jul-Dec 69 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TRP / Rev. Tripod-lebes (cauldron) surmounted by dolphin lying right on top, with raven standing right below, XV VIR SACR FAC. RIC I 109, RSC II 111 (ill.), Sear RCV I 2201 (ill.), BMCRE 39. 18.5 mm., 3.1 g. [<i>See Sear RCV I at p. 421, explaining that the reverse “refers to Vitellius’ membership in the priestly college of the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, ‘fifteen men for the conduct of sacred matters.’ This body had care of the Sibylline prophecies and were famous for the opulence of their banquets ,a feature of the priesthood which particularly appealed to the gluttonous emperor.</i>]</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1140160[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>You can see the difference when the coins are placed side-by-side:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1140162[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1140163[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>So now that I have a Vitellius I really like, I'm seriously contemplating trying to sell the first one, even though it isn't a duplicate. It isn't that I object to having more than one coin per Emperor or Empress -- the numbers don't compare to those of us who have 75 or more examples of particular monarchs, but counting Roman Provincial coins I do have 7 Philip I's, 6 Gallienuses, 4 Gordian III's, and 3 apiece of eight others. It's that if I did sell it, I could almost certainly buy one or more coins I like better with the proceeds.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #ff4d4d">edited</span>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="DonnaML, post: 4603067, member: 110350"]A little more than two years ago, I bought a Vitellius denarius that would probably be considered a "budget" example, given how much really nice Vitellius coins cost. Not a terrible coin by any means -- his name is readable, and there's actually quite a bit of detail left on his face -- but certainly not a great one either, given the loss of detail on the reverse and the surface roughness. I admit that I bought it more for the sake of having a Vitellius, than because I was in love with the coin. Vitellius AR Denarius 69 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TRP/ Rev. Jupiter seated left holding a scepter and Victory left, IVPPITER VICTOR. RIC I 75, RSC II 44, Sear RCV I 2197, BMCRE 8. 19.5 mm., 2.77 g. [ATTACH=full]1140158[/ATTACH] I've never been completely content with this coin -- as I said, I wasn't in love with it from the beginning -- so I recently decided to "upgrade" a little and bought a somewhat nicer Vitellius denarius. It's not in wonderful condition itself -- there's a lot of wear (and/or a weak strike or worn die; I'm not good at telling the difference!) on Vitellius's hair -- but it has better surfaces, the legends are all visible on both sides, it has an interesting reverse, and, besides, I liked it! Vitellius AR Denarius, Jul-Dec 69 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TRP / Rev. Tripod-lebes (cauldron) surmounted by dolphin lying right on top, with raven standing right below, XV VIR SACR FAC. RIC I 109, RSC II 111 (ill.), Sear RCV I 2201 (ill.), BMCRE 39. 18.5 mm., 3.1 g. [[I]See Sear RCV I at p. 421, explaining that the reverse “refers to Vitellius’ membership in the priestly college of the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis, ‘fifteen men for the conduct of sacred matters.’ This body had care of the Sibylline prophecies and were famous for the opulence of their banquets ,a feature of the priesthood which particularly appealed to the gluttonous emperor.[/I]] [ATTACH=full]1140160[/ATTACH] You can see the difference when the coins are placed side-by-side: [ATTACH=full]1140162[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1140163[/ATTACH] So now that I have a Vitellius I really like, I'm seriously contemplating trying to sell the first one, even though it isn't a duplicate. It isn't that I object to having more than one coin per Emperor or Empress -- the numbers don't compare to those of us who have 75 or more examples of particular monarchs, but counting Roman Provincial coins I do have 7 Philip I's, 6 Gallienuses, 4 Gordian III's, and 3 apiece of eight others. It's that if I did sell it, I could almost certainly buy one or more coins I like better with the proceeds. [COLOR=#ff4d4d]edited[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
After buying an upgraded Vitellius, I'm contemplating trying to sell the first one
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...