This is a denarius of Vitellius which i found metal detecting. You will readily see that the coin bears the mark of having been buried for many centuries. It was buried at a depth of about 15 cm. The coin was actually quite bright when i retrieved it, and the edge lettering was very distinct. A few weeks after recovering it, some of the letteing becanme very weak and faint. I assume, due to the action of the atmosphere on the coin. The reverse shows Mars naked wearing a cloak walking right. The legen reads CONCESUS EXERCITUUM. A presume a reference to the allegiance of the legions supporting him? I do not think the coins is a fourree, although it is corroded in places. A dark core does not show. I have never found many denarii, only 4. Surprisingly, 2 of them are of Vitellius. The other has the LIBERTAS RESTITUTA reverse. It is in very good condition. I may post it sometime.
Not a fouree, and certainly not silvered - it looks more like horn silver (silver that precipitates from other coins that were buried with it). I suspect this was once a part of a hoard, but was scattered through agricultural processes. Reverse legend actually reads CONSENSVS EXERCITVVM. I can give you an exact ID if you can read the obverse legend. But obviously, because it is Vitellius, it dates from January to June of 69 AD.
Thank you, the obverse legend reads: ViTELLIVS IMP GERM A(UG?) last word(s) very unclear. This coin was in much better shape when i found it, it deteriorated later. But i think it is still a nice specimen. I obviously searched the whole area, but no further finds came up. Eduard
Correction: the Reverse legend actually reads: A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN difficult to read as the lettering is faint, but now i have got it right.
It's entirely possible that the person who dropped it was a trooper with the 14th Gemina Legion, commonly known as Nero's Killing Machine. The person who dropped this coin could have fought against Boudicca of the Icenie on Wattling Street. Lot's of history can be linked to this coin... Ben
