Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 85 17 Jun 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Civil War AR Denarius. Struck under Vitellian forces in Southern Gaul, March AD 69. I• O• M [CA]PITOLINVS, diademed and draped bust of Jupiter to left, palm branch below chin / VESTA P R QVIRITIVM, veiled Vesta enthroned to left, holding patera and lit torch. RIC I 125a; BMCRE 72; RSC 432. 3.00g, 18mm, 9h.
Good Fine; flan pierced and somewhat wavy, with a light cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.
From a private UK collection.
This anonymous issue was most likely struck to pay the troops of Vitellius' large army as it moved on Rome in his attempt to seize control of the Empire. He had been acclaimed Emperor of the armies of Germania Inferior and Superior by his troops in January 69 against the Emperor Galba, but by the time he reached Italy from his base at Cologne, where he had held the command of the army of Germania Inferior as given to him by Galba, his fight was instead against Otho, who had recently taken the throne. Vitellius defeated the latter in the First Battle of Bedriacum, and gained Rome after his suicide. Such anonymous issues from the so-called 'Year of the Four Emperors' are extremely rare in comparison to the coinage minted in the names of these Emperors, who for obvious reasons were keen to promote their image as much as possible.
Good Fine; flan pierced and somewhat wavy, with a light cabinet tone. Extremely Rare.
From a private UK collection.
This anonymous issue was most likely struck to pay the troops of Vitellius' large army as it moved on Rome in his attempt to seize control of the Empire. He had been acclaimed Emperor of the armies of Germania Inferior and Superior by his troops in January 69 against the Emperor Galba, but by the time he reached Italy from his base at Cologne, where he had held the command of the army of Germania Inferior as given to him by Galba, his fight was instead against Otho, who had recently taken the throne. Vitellius defeated the latter in the First Battle of Bedriacum, and gained Rome after his suicide. Such anonymous issues from the so-called 'Year of the Four Emperors' are extremely rare in comparison to the coinage minted in the names of these Emperors, who for obvious reasons were keen to promote their image as much as possible.