For the last year I have been looking for the dynastic reverse Vitellius denarius. I have missed several in different auctions throughout the year but finally got one a few minutes ago in the Heritage auction. The portrait is worn (the coin is graded VG) but the legends are rather nice for a coin in this grade. Needless to say the slab will have a brief meeting with my hammer after it arrives. Not only is this an interesting denarius in its own right it also happens to represent a landmark for my collection. This Vitellius completes my second complete 12 Caesars set in silver. Please post your coins of Vitellius or your favourite coins from the 12 Caesars. Vitellius (AD 69). AR denarius (18mm, 2.95 gm, 5h). NGC VG 4/5 - 4/5. Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head of Vitellius right / LIBERI IMP GERM AVG, bareheaded and draped busts of the children of Vitellius (Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Junior and Vitellia), facing one another. RIC I 101. Rare.
That's nice! It's well-centered and has good surfaces and has seen some honest circulation well into the Flavian period. The icing on the cake is that it completes your 12 Caesars set!
That is a pretty nice looking denarius. I've been reading quite a bit about the 12 Caesars lately. I think I would like to complete a set of them myself though I think it will take quite a while. Congratulations on completing your second set
Coingrats on the double dozen! And I'm not going to quietly say how jealous I am of that reverse with Vitellius's kids.. But I WILL TYPE IT IN CAPS, I'M SO JEALOUS OF THAT SAWEET REVERSE! Here's my sole Denarii of Vitmo: Vitellius AD 69. AR Denarius minted at Rome, Jul.-Dec. AD 69. Laureate head of Vitellius, right. Reverse : Libertas (Liberty) draped, standing facing, head right, holding pileus and scepter. RIC-1005; BMCRE-3
Big congrats Andrew completing not one, but TWO Seutonius 12 sets!!! Wow, and the finish line is really cool with that new V-Man with the kids! I have a V-Man in my Seutonius 12 Set. RI Vitellius 69 CE AR Denarius Pont Max Vesta Seated And this issue is one of favorites...struck during the first 2 weeks of March, or the LAST two weeks of Caesar's life: RImp Julius Caesar Lifetime P Sepullius Macer AR Den 1st 2 weeks-Mar 44 BCE 4.03g. CAESAR – DICT PERPETVO Veiled - Venus Victory sceptre star Syd 1074a Sear Imperators 107e Cr 480-14 Rare
Wow. What an iconic Vitellian type! A forerunner to the Vespasian dynastic denarius struck a year later. Congrats!
Wow Orfew!... that is an amazing coin on it's own.. but to have a 12 Caesars set in silver twice (!!) is pretty amazing. My favorite coin of yours is the lifetime Julius Caesar as probably many would agree. You have an amazing collection. What is your next goal? Is it steady improvement on examples you currently have within these two sets, or variations within these rulers? or are you moving your focus? As a new collector still finding my way I like to understand what motivates other collectors... Sorry I do not have a Vitellius to share
Congrats on getting the 2nd set of the 12 Caesars - quite an accomplishment. I have 5 left to get in my first set - Tiberius, Claudius, Otho, Vitellius, and Galba.
Thanks @Clavdivs , I really like my JC portrait as well. I waited a couple of years to find the right one. As for the next goal, I will keep on pursuing my 3 main interests: The 12 Caesars, Historical figures as dramatized by Shakespeare, and the family of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Regarding the 12 Caesars, I am actually 3 coins away from a third set. This one, however, is not all silver. It contains bronze provincials of Augustus and Tiberius. Thanks for your interest. Andrew
Congratulations on a scarce Vitellius! A nice, endearing type as well. I had a 'thing' about Vitellius ever since I found these denarii two a long time ago. After that, I focused on finding a Vitellius sestertius. Found a few but none in great condition.
The coin arrived today. The first thing I did was to introduce the slab to my hammer. Here is the updated photo.
