Victrix Posted March 16, 2023 · Member Posted March 16, 2023 Managed to win this coin at last E-auction of CNG. Another key piece I wanted for my Vitellius collection. Although Vitellius his reign was brief, he nevertheless attempted to use his coin designs to demonstrate his legitimacy for the position of emperor and the fact that he came with a ready-made 'dynasty'. The reverse here is the more interesting side with a celebration of Vitellius' son and daughter, with the Legend LIBERI IMP GERMAN - 'Children of the Emperor Germanicus'. The son, far from the adult portrait on the coin - was a mere six years old at the time of his father's seizure of the Principate. Vitellius presented him to the army upon reaching Lugdunum, naming him Germanicus and at the same decorating him with all the insignia of his imperial position. Ultimately, this elevation of the son would be used as an excuse by Mucianus, Vespasian's adviser and 'dirty deed doer', to execute the boy in in AD 70, arguing that dissension would continue until all the seeds of war were stamped out. Vitellius' daughter, Vitellia, would fare better under Vespasian, allowing him the opportunity to show that key quality of a Roman victor: clemency. He married her to a husband of the noblest birth. Share your Vitellius coins 😄 11 1 1 6 1 Quote
ominus1 Posted March 17, 2023 · Patron Posted March 17, 2023 ..that's a very nice one indeed...and yeah, he had some kool coins...on mine he's wearing a bun...:P... 12 1 1 Quote
Kali Posted March 17, 2023 · Member Posted March 17, 2023 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. 3.15g 18.5mm RIC I 83; RSC 86. 15 1 Quote
Ryro Posted March 17, 2023 · Supporter Posted March 17, 2023 Way to go! That is an amazing coin🤩 and it tells such a sad story. It was in my watch list as well. Yikes! Mine needs a new picture... 13 1 Quote
Benefactor DonnaML Posted March 17, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Posted March 17, 2023 (edited) What a fantastic, unusual coin! Congratulations. My one Vitellius isn't in great condition -- and that's one sad-looking dolphin! -- but his name is readable, so it met my most important requirement: Edited March 17, 2023 by DonnaML 12 1 Quote
Edessa Posted March 17, 2023 · Supporter Posted March 17, 2023 Roman Egypt, Alexandria. Vitellius, AD 69. Billon Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 13.01g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 69). Obv: ΩΛOY OYIT KAIΣ ΣЄB ΓЄPM [AYT]; Laureate head right. Rev: Nike advancing left, holding wreath with her extended right hand and palm frond with her left; L A (date) in field to left. Ref: Köln 260-2; Dattari (Savio) 340; K&G 19.1; RPC I 5372; Emmett 196.1 (R1). Very Fine, toned, minor deposits. Ex Naville Numismatics 40 (27 May 2018), lot 359 (where it is stated that this coin is from the Dattari collection, but it is neither of the two coins illustrated in the Dattari-Savio plates – nos. 340 and 6683). Ex CNG eAuction 457 (4 Dec 2019), Lot 216. 11 1 Quote
Roman Collector Posted March 17, 2023 · Patron Posted March 17, 2023 Very nice, @Victrix! That's not an easy coin to come by!! 1 Quote
ambr0zie Posted March 17, 2023 · Member Posted March 17, 2023 Very interesting type and nobody would mind one. My only Vitellius 10 Quote
shanxi Posted March 17, 2023 · Supporter Posted March 17, 2023 Much better than my example: Vitellius Denarius, Rome, AD 69 Obv.: A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVGVST TR P, laureate head right Rev.: LIBERI IMP GERM AVG, confronted draped busts of Vitellius' son (on left) and daughter (thought to have been named Vitellius Germanicus and Vitellia) Ag, 3.090g, 18.1mm, 180o Ref.: RIC² 103, RSC II 2, BMCRE I 29, BnF III 62 11 Quote
Victrix Posted March 17, 2023 · Member Author Posted March 17, 2023 9 hours ago, shanxi said: Much better than my example: I still find yours very attractive and nice 🙂 Quote
Benefactor kirispupis Posted March 17, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Posted March 17, 2023 That's a nice coin with an interesting piece of history that I didn't know. Here's my one Vitellius. Vitellius AR Denarius Rome, 69 CE 2.62g, 18mm, 6h. A VITEL[LIV]S GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head to right / XV VIR SACR FAC, tripod-lebes surmounted by dolphin, raven standing to right below RIC I 109; BMCRE 39; RSC 111 7 Quote
Theoderic Posted March 17, 2023 · Member Posted March 17, 2023 Very nice dynastic issue - all 3 portraits are well done. Here is my one Vitellius... AR Denarius (19 mm, 2.93 grams, 6h), Struck late April – 20 December A.D. 69, Rome mint Obverse: A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P, bare head right Reverse: Victory seated left, holding patera and palm frond References: RIC I 88 variety (bust type); BMCRE I 19 Auction: Kölner Münzkabinett 117 (October 28, 2022), lot 400 Provenance: Ex Münz Zentrum Rheinland 164 (January 9, 2013), lot 378 7 Quote
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