Vitellius portrait

Here is, in my opinion, one of the most realistic portrait of Vitellius ( bronze of Iberic origin)

 

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I could not choose between the 2 options. Both seemed to apply equally.

Here is one of Vitellius with his father on the reverse for comparison.

 

Denarius. 20-19 mm. 3.42 grams.
XV VIR SACR FAC, tripod-lebes with dolphin above and raven below.
"quindecimvir sacris faciundis"
Denarius. 20-19 mm. 3.42 grams.
Emperor Vitellius, AD 69, Jan. 2 to Dec. 20. Struck April 19 to the beginning of May at Rome, according to RIC.
A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP
"This type--tripod, dolphin, and raven--suggests Apollo, god of prophecy." [BMC ccxxiv] "Presumably recording his immediate election into the principal priestly colleges." [RIC page 265]
The care of the Sibylline prophecies was the chief function of this college, which is not celebrated on coins of any other emperor.

Sear I 2201 variety. RIC I Vitellius 70. BMC 3.

 

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


Vitellius (69 A.D.)
Egypt, Alexandria
Billon Tetradrachm
O: ΩΛΟΥ ΟΥΙΤ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΑΥΤ, laureate head right.
R: Nike advancing left, holding wreath with her extended right hand and palm frond with her left; LA (date) to left.
26mm
12.1g
RPC 5372; Köln 260-2; Dattari 340; K&G 19.1. Emmett 196.1

 

Here is another of his denarii, but after seeing several contemporary busts of him, I would say that Andres2's AS most resembles his face. (no double entendre or slur against the emperor intended.)

 

Great OP coin and lots of great examples folks!

 

Spectacular coin, Octavius...and superb photography!

 

Thanks, the coin is mine, but I can't take credit for the photography. Photos are all taken from the dealers' web sites at the time of purchase.

 

Thanks, the coin is mine, but I can't take credit for the photography. Photos are all taken from the dealers' web sites at the time of purchase.

 

Save the photos!!!

 

As with Galba, there exists also a variety of styles of portraiture for Vitellius.
These are the ones in my collection:

Sestertius - Rome


Sestertius - Rome (?)


As - Rome (?)


Denarius - Rome


Denarius - Rome


Denarius - Hispanic origin:


As - Hispanic origin:


The poll gives the option of choosing between FAT and UGLY.
In my opinion the emperor was both fat and ugly.
"Vitellius was prone to gluttony....."

 

All very nice coins !

My Vitellius. I’m very happy with this one, especially the portrait
Watch the double chin.




Vitellius, denarius.
RIC 107
Obv. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head right.
Rev. PONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right, holding scepter and patera.

 

Exactly what I was about to write before reading it from Eduard
The image of gluttony in Fincher's movie Seven comes to mind


Vitellius, Denarius - Rome mint, July - December 20, AD69
A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P, Laureate head of Vitellius right
XV VIR SACR FAC, Tripod-lebes with dolphin lying right on top and raven standing right below
3.43 gr, 16-18 mm
Ref : RCV # 2201var, Cohen cf # 110 et suiv, RIC I # 86 (this example illustrated in Wildwinds)

Q

 

FATT and/or UGGLY (covers it all)


RI Vitellius 69 CE AR Denarius Pont Max Vesta Seated

 

No Vitellius here, but I do have a Vitellian Vespasian.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.45g
Rome mint, January - June 70 AD
RIC 19 (C). BMC 7. RSC 84.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: COS ITER FORT RED; Fortuna, draped, standing l.,setting r. hand on prow and holding cornucopiae in l. hand

 

I also have a Vespasian with a Vitellius like portrait. Not as nice as David's.

 

Here's another look-alike...to me:
Vespasian. 69-79 AD. AR Denarius (3.26 gm). Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Laureate head right. Rev: COS ITER - TR POT, Aequitas standing left. RIC II 5; RSC 94a. Dark tone.