I would like to dedicate this thread to an old-time favorite of mine - Emperor Vitellius. I credit him for getting me started along the path of collecting roman coins over 25 years ago when I came upon a coin of his, and also my first roman coin. I soon leaned that his major claim to fame was that he reigned for only a few months in the so-called Year of the 4 Emperors, 69 A.D., and that he was addicted to the good life and good food and drink. (all very human qualities!). An endearing fellow he was. Here a brief description from Wikipedia: Aulus Vitellius Germanicus Augustus; 24 September 15 – 22 December 69) was Roman Emperor for eight months, from 16 April to 22 December 69. Vitellius was proclaimed emperor following the quick succession of the previous emperors Galba and Otho, in a year of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Vitellius did not last the year 69. He was captured and executed in Rome by troops loyal to Vespasian. In spite of his very brief tenure, his coinage is relatively extensive and almost on a par with that of Galba, I would say. My own small assembly of his coins is modest. I do have a few Rome mint bronzes of his which are quite scarce to come by. My examples are really (really) worn or abused, but do show the distinct portrait of this short-lived emperor. Please post you coins of Vitellius, Rome mint or Provincials! Vitellius, April –December 69 Sestertius late April-December 69 Obv: A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP AVG P M TR P Laureate and draped bust r. Rev: PAX AVGVSTI S – C Pax standing l., holding branch and cornucopiae. RIC 118. Another very much corroded example of the Pax Type:
Another sestertius of Vitellius. Very worn unfortunately, but nice color and much scarcer than the Pax type. Vitellius. AD 69. Æ Sestertius. Rome mint. Obv: Laureate and draped bust right Rev: Concordia seated left, holding branch and scepter. RIC I 133
Very Cool post guys!! I Love the bronzes, especially because I have none LOL !! I have a worn denarius with the 'Concordia' reverse but haven't been able to snag any others to date...
Vitellius Denarius Obv:– A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, Laureate head right Rev:– VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory with shield advancing left, S P Q R on shield Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 69 References:– RIC I 62 (Scarce)
I've long been fascinated by short reigns, particularly ill-fated ones, and Vitellius being one of those from "The Year of Four Emperors", he certainly qualifies for that fascination. For me it was Otho that capture most of my enthusiasm, due to a coin I owned, but Vitellius was certainly interesting, too. Here are the two Vitellius denarii I had. The first was from my old 2007-2008 "Augustus to Zeno" collection (my first novice endeavor in collecting Roman coins). The second is from my ca. 2012-2013 "Twelve Caesars" set. I like the first one better, really.
One of my favorites of the 12 too. Vitellius (69 A.D.) AR Denarius O: A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P, 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
Thanks to all who posted their Vitellii. Some very impressive portraits among them. Here one of my better bronzes. Vitellius, January – December 69 As, uncertain Spanish mint, but probably Tarraco (?) circa January-June 69, Æ. Obv: A VITELLIVS – IMP GERMAN Laureate head Rev: CONSENSVS – EXERCITVVM / S – C Mars, helmeted and naked but for cloak, advancing l. holding Aquila in l. hand and spear in r. C 25. BMC 99. RIC 40. CBN 16.
WOW!!! That's an incredible bronze!! Since I just found my old photo of my sole Vitellius denarius---a lousy practice photo---I'll post it anyway:
My first Vitellius was a denarius that my dealer found and I purchased eight years ago from his inventory. I was drawn to the portrait and his full name on the obverse, although the reverse is among the more common of his denarii: VITELLIUS 69 A.D. AR Denarius (3.44 g.) Rome April - Dec. 69 A.D. RIC 105 A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P Laureate head of Vitellius r. Rev. LIBERTAS RESTITVTA Libertas standing holding pileus, long rod
I don't have any of Vitellius but has been near the top of my want list for quite some time. Wonderful examples posted here.