Vitellius

69

Galba appointed Vitellius as Governor in the Rhine region in 68. He did this as no favor to Vitellius but rather as a strategic move to pass off a hot potato. Because Vitellius came from an aristocratic and decidedly non-military background, he calculated that the army of the region would have their hands full in dealing with this persona non grata. Whether the generals of the army in question saw through the attempted ruse or simply accepted the decision was irrelevant and backfired for Galba. Aware of the discontentment within the army of the situation in Rome, Vitellius and his men prepared to do something about it. The army set out for Rome in a journey that took several months that was noted as being more of a carnival parade than a military procession.

However, the honeymoon was soon over for Vitellius who was neither the darling of the army nor especially influential elsewhere. True to his hedonistic background, he decided to throw massive parties throughout Rome while his enemies assembled armies to depose him. When he finally realized he was in real danger, too late, he met with a contact from the approaching army of Vespasian and made an agreement to abdicate in return for peaceful retirement. He then announced his decision to the Senate creating a scandal. Feeling that this cowardice was wholly unbecoming of an emperor a mob of angry citizens and soldiers broke through to his quarters where he was hiding and ripped him to shreds.

Of all things, the biographers of Vitellius note that his chief vice was none other than gorging himself with food. It was said he couldn't even bear to make a sacrifice of food at the altar without stealing a couple bites first!

AU Aureus


RIC 22, BMC 82, C 23 Aureus Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head left.
Rev: CONSENSVSEXERCITVVM - Mars advancing left, holding spear and vexillum. January - June 69 (Spain).


RIC 94, BMC 23, BN 54, C 54 Aureus Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: LVITELLIVSCOSIIICENSOR - Lucius Vitellius (Vitellius's father) seated left, raising hand and holding scepter with eagle atop. 69 (Rome). $13,000 1/13/03.


RIC 104, C 46 Aureus Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: LIBERTASRESTITVTA - Libertas standing right, holding pileus and scepter.


RIC 106, C 71 Aureus Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: PONTMAXIM - Vesta seated right, holding patera and scepter. Aug-Dec 69 (Rome). $91,604 5/10/05.


RIC 108, BMC 38, C 110 Aureus Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: XVVIRSACFAC - Tripod; dolphin above, raven below.


Unlisted RIC, Calico 551 Aureus Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate bust left.
Rev: CONSENSVSHISPANIARVM - Spain standing left, holding corn ears and shield with two spears. January - June 69 (Tarraco).

AR Denarius


RIC 27, BMC 87 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head right, globe at point of bust.
Rev: FIDES/EXERCITVVM - Hands, in handshake. May - December 69 (Tarraco). $317 4/13/03.


RIC 30, BN 11, C 31 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head right.
Rev: FIDES/EXERCITVM - Hands, in handshake. 69.


RIC 36, C 101 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head left; palm in front.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGVSTI - Victory advancing left, holding shield reading SP/QR. January - June 69 (Tarraco).


RIC 54, BMC 115 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMANICVS - Laureate head right.
Rev: FIDES/EXERCITVVM - Hands, in handshake.


RIC 56, BMC 118 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head right.
Rev: IOMAXCAPITOLINVS - Temple with two columns; Jupiter seated left within, holding thunderbolt and scepter. $153 11/8/03.


RIC 62, BMC 125 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head right, globe at point of bust.
Rev: VICTORIAAVGVSTI - Victory advancing left, holding shield reading SP/QR. 69 (Lugdunum).


RIC 66, BMC 1, C 21 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMP - Bare head right.
Rev: CONCORDIAPR - Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia. April - December 69. $525 5/21/03.


RIC 67, BMC 2 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMP - Bare head right.
Rev: FIDESEXERCITVVM - Hands, in handshake. May - December 69 (Rome). $364 2/22/03.


RIC 68 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMP - Bare head right.
Rev: IVPPITERVICTOR - Jupiter seated left, holding Victory and scepter. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 69a(var.) Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head left.
Rev: SPQR/OB/CS - Wreath, legend within.


RIC 70, BMC 3, C 115 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMP - Laureate head right.
Rev: XVVIRSACRFAC - Tripod, dolphin above and raven below. 69 (Rome).


RIC 71, BMC 4, C 121 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMP - Laureate head right.
Rev: No legend - Victory seated left, holding patera and palm. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 71v Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMNICVSIMP - Laureate head right.
Rev: No legend - Victory seated left, holding patera and palm. [obv. legend blunder]. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 73, C 20 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONCORDIAPR - Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia.


RIC 73v Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Bare head right.
Rev: CONCORDIAPR - Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia. [RIC unlisted bust type for this issue]. $700 5/21/03.


RIC 75, BMC 8, S 2197, C 44 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: IVPPITERVICTOR - Jupiter seated left, holding Victory and scepter. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 79, C 2 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: LIBERIIMPGERMAN - Vitellius's son and daughter; heads facing each other. 69 (Rome). $460 5/21/03.


RIC 81, BMC 13, BN 41, C 48 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: LIBERTASRESTITVTA - Libertas standing right, holding pileus and scepter. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 83, BMC 15 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: SPQR/OB/CS - Wreath, legend within.


RIC 86, BMC 17 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: XVVIRSACRFAC - Tripod, dolphin above and raven below. 69 (Rome).


RIC 86v Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: XVVIRSACRFCA - Tripod, dolphin above and raven below. [Rev. legend blundered]. 69 (Rome).


RIC 86v Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPTRP - Bare head right.
Rev: XVVIRSACRFAC - Tripod, dolphin above and raven below. [RIC does not list this type with bare head]. 69 (Rome). $88 5/9/03.


RIC 90, BMC 20, S 2196 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: CONCORDIAPR - Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 93, C 42 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: IVPPITERVICTOR - Jupiter seated left, holding Victory and scepter.


RIC 105, BMC 31 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: LIBERTASRESTITVTA - Libertas standing, facing, holding pileus and scepter. April - December 69 (Rome).


RIC 107, BMC 34, S 2200, C 72 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: PONTMAXIM - Vesta seated right, holding patera and scepter. 69 (Rome).


RIC 109, BMC 39, S 2201 Denarius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMIMPAVGTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: XVVIRSACRFAC - Tripod, dolphin above and raven below. April - December 69 (Rome).

AE Sestertius


RIC 115, C 61 Sestertius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: MARSVICTOR - Mars advancing left, holding Victory and trophy; S C across fields. 69 (Rome).


RIC 118, BN 92, C 67 Sestertius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANICVSIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: PAXAVGVSTI - Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopia; S C across fields. 69 (Rome). $3,380 9/24/03.


RIC 133, BMC 48, BN 101 Sestertius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: CONCORDAVG Exe: SC - Concordia seated left, holding branch and scepter. 69 (Rome).


RIC 141, C 79 Sestertius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: No legend - Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy; S C across fields. 69 (Rome).


RIC 156, C 60 Sestertius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMAIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: MARSVICTOR - Mars advancing left, holding Victory and trophy; S C across fields. April-December 69 (Rome). $15,000 2/1/05.

AE Dupondius


RIC 21a (1923 ed.) Dupondius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMAIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: LIBERTASAVGVSTI - Libertas standing left, holding scales and scepter.


RIC 162, BMC 65, BN 116, C 15 Dupondius Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMANIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate, draped bust right.
Rev: CONCORDIAAVGVSTI Exe: SC - Concordia seated left, sacrificing over altar and holding cornucopia. April - December 69 (Rome).

AE As


RIC 39 As Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head left.
Rev: CLEMENTIAIMPGERMAN - Clementia seated left, holding branch and scepter; S C across fields. January - June 69 (Spain). $695 10/1/03.


RIC 43 As Obv: AVITELLIVSIMPGERMAN - Laureate head left.
Rev: LIBERTASRESTITVTA - Libertas standing, facing, holding pileus and scepter; S C across fields. January - June 69 (Spain).


RIC 163v As Obv: AVITELLIVSGERMAIMPAVGPMTRP - Laureate head right.
Rev: No legend Exe: PROVIDENT - Altar; S C across fields. (Rome).