Object Description
Rome, Ca. AD 69
Vitellius and Lucius Vitellius Av. aureus, Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P; laureate head right. L VITELLIVS COS III CENSOR; Lucius Vitellus (the emperor’s father), togate, seated left on curule chair, holding branch and eagle-tipped sceptre. RIC 96; Hunter 12; Sear -.
Aulus Vitellius was a close friend of the Julio-Claudian emperors from Tiberius to Nero, holding
various important posts such as the proconsulship of Africa. He was proclaimed emperor by his troops in Lower Germany in AD 69. A key player in the power struggle of that year, he was murdered by the Danubian legions loyal to Vespasian and his body was thrown into the Tiber.
The reverse of this rare coin commemorates Vitellius’ father, a distinguished magistrate and proxy head of state during Claudius’ expedition to Britain. His tenancy as three-times consul and censor are advertised by the legend, possibly as a source of legitimacy for Vitellius’ rule.
For additional information see:
John Melville Jones, J., 1990, Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins. London.
Size: D: 20mm ; 7.15g.