Vindex - Civil War Issue

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Alegandron, May 22, 2017.

  1. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    I cannot bottle this up anymore. Just too cool of a coin not to post.

    This one is kinda hard to get...

    upload_2017-5-22_15-18-17.png
    Roman Civil War
    Vindex

    AR Denarius, 3.22g, 19mm
    Uncertain mint in Gaul, AD 68. Struck between early March 68 (when he revolted) and May 68 (when he was killed)
    Obv: SALVS GENERIS HVMANI, Victory standing to left on globe, holding palm branch and wreath
    Rev: SPQR within corona civica with circular jewel in bezel at apex.
    Ref: Nicolas 77; RIC 72; BMC 34. BMCRE 34-36 RSC 420
    Ex: Warren Esty

    Comments: In CE 68 Vindex in Gaul, revolted against Nero, but had no legions. He asked Galba, in Spain, to help and Vindex quickly raised an army. However, the commander on the Rhine - Germania Superior (Lucius Verginius Rufus) attacked and defeated Vindex, leaving Galba to contest for the empire.

    Other Notes: Unusual and distinctive coin due to the lack of a portrait or the titles of a living emperor, this Civil War issue of Vindex defines his revolt clearly; while the obverse proclaims that the uprising is to be the salvation of the people, the reverse hints that Rome will be set free and the days of Augustus restored to the city.
    Although Vindex was defeated, he served to swell popularity for Galba and, sensing this, Nero fled Rome. Shortly after, the Senate decided to oust Nero by declaring him a public enemy, thus spurring his suicide. Consequently, between June 68 AD and December 69 AD, Rome witnessed a period of anarchy and a series of quick successions. Four Emperors ruled in this period: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian, with the latter securing the imperial throne and founding the Flavian dynasty.

    Bummer is: I cannot scratch this off the Roman Ruler RIC Scarcity list... :) I reckon it is just a BONUS to my Seutonius Twelve (The 12 Caesars) collection!

    Please feel free to post anything from the Civil War against Nero, starting in CE 68 and Year of Four Emperors of 69 CE... Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian...
     
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  3. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Oh I saw that and was so tempted to bid! Glad it went to a good home :).
     
    gregarious and Alegandron like this.
  4. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Thank you. As you know, I enjoy Republic coins, but this one is so cool to me! Resonates with my rebel approach to the Emperors... :D
     
  5. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Excellent historical coin. I'm currently reading a book (fiction) about this era. I would Love to have bid you up on this coin. Congrats.
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  6. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Please forgive me in advance, but the Devil is making me think Vindex is a Vonderful product to use on Vindows. :)
     
    Jwt708, Parthicus, gregarious and 3 others like this.
  7. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Kentucky likes this.
  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Great coin. You are lucky I did not see it first! You would have had some competition. Seriously, that is an interesting historical piece. Congrats!
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  9. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    ACTUALLY, I understand the V in Latin is pronounced as a W, so yeah, his name in English is WINDEX!

    However, I see him as a guy that had the guts to stand up in what he believed in, and to revolt against Nero... we are just here talking about it. :)
     
    Smojo and Kentucky like this.
  10. Ajax

    Ajax Well-Known Member

    Awesome coin!
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Oh. Wow!

    Consider me impressed!

    Don't have pics of my old Galba LIBERTAS sestertius, so this modest (Spanish mint?) As will have to do.

    [​IMG]


    And my old Otho denarius.

    [​IMG]

    My past Vitellian denarii (2) were relatively uninspiring and NGC said one was a fourree, though some on FORVM disputed that.

    (Speaking of NGC, it's apparent you're gonna bust that sucker out of the plastic- and good riddance to the ghastly white prongs- but curiosity forces me to ask how they graded and rated it?)

    Of Vespasian I've had a few, including a Judea Capta @Aethelred has now. Most if not all were posted recently in a Vespasian thread. I still have that posthumous Vespasian "capricorns" denarius in my Box of 20, but will give y'all a break from seeing it repeatedly.

    69 AD sure is fascinating. Probably wasn't too fun to experience, but that's how it goes. The turbulent times always make for more interesting history, don't they? Congrats on that tough acquisition!
     
  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    It is going to get NEKKID!

    RI Vindex in Slab - obv.JPG
    RI Vindex in Slab - rev.JPG

    When I studied Roman History way back in my University days, I remember the Civil War starting in CE 68 and the Year of Four Emperors in CE 69. I believe THAT was the juncture that I decided I enjoyed Roman REPUBLIC history, and that the Emperors were a turn-off (as a political institution).

    Hence, Vindex is of real historical interest to me!
     
  13. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Reminds me of Latin class in high school. Veni, Vidi, Vici we were told was pronounced Wayni, Weedi, Weeki except for church Latin where it would be pronounced with the V-sound.
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  14. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Liberate it!

    I might entomb mine, but that's mostly just for "Box of 20" consistency purposes. If I collected only ancients, mine would be gloriously nekkid, too.

    I'd have guessed VF there, BTW, at least by American TPG standards, but don't disagree with their grade. That's a moot issue anyway, considering the eye appeal. Again, congrats.
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  15. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Hmmm... perhaps later Latin embraced the V sound. Most of the historical interest for me was the REPUBLIC period of Rome, in which I understand the V was pronounced as a W. I am NOT a scholar, so the experts may need to chime in. :)
     
    Kentucky likes this.
  16. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Oh, there is no doubt it will be liberated! It is getting NEKKID! (Naked in Yankee-speak). And thanks for the "congrats"!
     
  17. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Igpay Atinlay was all I learned in school. :oops:

    Every single bit of Latin I know came from coins. Thanks for all the education, little buddies.
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  18. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Awesome score!!!
     
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  19. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    "There's a big difference between the words, ‘naked’ and ‘nekkid.’ ‘Naked’ means you don't have any clothes on. ‘Nekkid’ means you don't have any clothes on - and you're up to something." Lewis Grizzard
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  20. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    LOL... hey, the way of me! :D
     
  21. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Now there's a fine quote from a fellow Jawjuh resident!

    (Well, former Jawjuh resident. RIP, L.G. Chili Dawgs Only Bark At Night, indeed.)
     
    Alegandron likes this.
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