Watch List notes:

AV Aureus 69 AD, VITELLIUS 69 AD Rome. Laureate head right A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P. Rev. Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia CONCOR – DIA PR.RIC 72; BMC 6; Calicó 543.Had the strange and unpredictable tides of civil war not intervened in the life of Aulus Vitellius, he probably would have remained unknown to history, except perhaps for the chance discovery of his tombstone. Instead, Galba appointed him governor of Lower Germany late in 68 with the intent of removing him from the capital, and once there Vitellius was swept into power at the head of an insubordinate army intent on marching to Rome to collect their unpaid bonus. As the uprising gained momentum the emperor whom the legions intended to threaten, Galba, was overthrown by his subordinate Otho, who was doomed to a very brief reign. Already en route, the German legions decided to continue, and after they had triumphed in a bloody contest with Otho's army in Northern Italy the senate hailed their candidate Augustus. Vitellius was still in Gaul with the remainder of his troops when he learned of the victory and the actions of the senate, and he celebrated upon reaching the provincial capital of Lugdunum. He then continued on to Italy and joined the advancing legions, leading his 60,000 men on a leisurely march towards Rome that occupied more than a month. Upon arriving he remained in office for eight chaotic months until armies loyal to a new contender, Vespasian, marched on Rome and caused his overthrow.7.18 g. Highly expressive and impressive portrait with fully readable legends. R Very fine/Nearly very fine