Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXIII 24-25 Mar 2022
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Vitellius AV Aureus. Tarraco, January - June AD 69. A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, laureate head to left, small globe at point of bust, palm branch at point of neck / VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory advancing to left, holding shield inscribed S P Q R. RIC I 35; BMCRE 91 var. (no palm frond); Biaggi 284; Benages p. 210, 36; Calicó 576a. 7.46g, 18mm, 6h.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; rated R3 by RIC and R2 by Calicó, only 6 examples offered at auction since 1999.
From the Pinewood Collection.
Emperor for only eight months, Vitellius was the third to take the purple during the Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69. Consul in 48 and Proconsul of Africa in 60/61, Vitellius commanded the army of Germania Inferior in 68, where he made himself extremely popular with the officers and soldiery through lavish extravagance and lax discipline. It was because of two of his legion commanders on the Rhine that he was acclaimed emperor by the legions in Germania, and they were soon joined by the armies of Britannia, Gaul and Raetia. With Otho's suicide, Vitellius gained the throne without the need for excessive bloodshed. His short lived reign was characterised by excessive feasting, gambling and indolence. Suetonius records some of the greater outrages which led to his being deserted in favour of Vespasian: 'Acting more and more in open violation of all laws, both divine and human, he assumed the office of Pontifex Maximus, upon the day of the defeat at the Allia; ordered the magistrates to be elected for ten years of office; and made himself consul for life.' Fortunately a direct military confrontation between Vespasian and Vitellius proved unnecessary - supporters of Vespasian assassinated Vitellius after a reign of just eight months, and according to Suetonius he was dragged through the streets and tortured, before his body was unceremoniously dumped into the Tiber.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; rated R3 by RIC and R2 by Calicó, only 6 examples offered at auction since 1999.
From the Pinewood Collection.
Emperor for only eight months, Vitellius was the third to take the purple during the Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69. Consul in 48 and Proconsul of Africa in 60/61, Vitellius commanded the army of Germania Inferior in 68, where he made himself extremely popular with the officers and soldiery through lavish extravagance and lax discipline. It was because of two of his legion commanders on the Rhine that he was acclaimed emperor by the legions in Germania, and they were soon joined by the armies of Britannia, Gaul and Raetia. With Otho's suicide, Vitellius gained the throne without the need for excessive bloodshed. His short lived reign was characterised by excessive feasting, gambling and indolence. Suetonius records some of the greater outrages which led to his being deserted in favour of Vespasian: 'Acting more and more in open violation of all laws, both divine and human, he assumed the office of Pontifex Maximus, upon the day of the defeat at the Allia; ordered the magistrates to be elected for ten years of office; and made himself consul for life.' Fortunately a direct military confrontation between Vespasian and Vitellius proved unnecessary - supporters of Vespasian assassinated Vitellius after a reign of just eight months, and according to Suetonius he was dragged through the streets and tortured, before his body was unceremoniously dumped into the Tiber.