Ancient Rome (Imperial) 69 A.D. Vitellius Silver Denarius Libertas good VF
We Last Sold This Item For: | $795.00 |
---|---|
Last Sold On: | 24/8/2020 |
# Sold In Past 12 Months: | 0 |
Ancient Rome (Imperial) 69 A.D. Vitellius Silver Denarius
Weight: 2.91g
Ref#: RIC I 105
Obv: Laureate head right.
Rev: Libertas standing facing, head right, holding pileus and vindicta.
Condition: Good VF
Sharply struck obverse with a pleasing portrait.
Vitellius was the third of the four emperors who ruled the Roman Empire in the year 69 AD. He was the son of one of the most important courtiers in Rome at that time and was also friends with the emperors Caligula and Claudius.
Vitellius was appointed governor of Lower Germany by the emperor Galba late in 68 AD. The Roman troops in Germany were not friendly to Galba and promptly proclaimed Vitellius as emperor in January 69 AD. Support soon followed from the armies of Upper Germany, as well as from most of the governors of Spain, Gaul, and Britain.
On the back of this strong show of widespread support, Vitellius led his troops into Italy to assume the purple.
The emperor Galba had been murdered by this time, so Vitellius fought his successor - Otho. Once it appeared he would be defeated, Otho committed suicide on April 16, and Vitellius continued his journey to Rome. He arrived in July 69AD and attempted to cement his grip on power. Vitellius was clearly not unsuccessful at doing so, as he was brutally murdered by troops loyal to Vespasian just several months later.
Historians have not been kind to the character of Vitellius - just how much of the very critical stories written about him were a result of the propaganda of his successors is a subject of some debate.
This particular coin shows a clear portrait with a pleasing patina. It is a solid reminder of the last emperor to come to power during the Roman Civil Wars of 69 AD.
SKU: 207899
Browse our catalog of Imperial Rome below:
More From This Category


I've taken my coins to Andrew a few times. Him and his staff are very nice people. Andrew is honest and down to earth. 👍

I have purchased several bulk lots of world coins from Sterling & Currency over the last few years. Read more...

I live on East Coast but prefer dealing with Andrew on the West due to his integrity, knowledge and prices, Read more...

Just purchased a 1966 blue case decimal mint set. Andrew gave me a ring to ensure it had arrived and provided Read more...
.jpg)
The team at Sterling & Currency is a family affair – small but growing. Andrew Crellin is the main dealer in the business, click here to read this credentials and how he started with the Perth Mint; spent a decade in Sydney working with two leading dealers and relocated back to Perth in 2006.
Jo is our budding Numismatist, Chief Event officer, Photographer and Packing Extraordinaire. Natalie is our media creator and photographer. Nicole manages the accounts and is part of the Packing Team. A myriad of important duties are carried out by the team that include photography, website updates, office admin, and chocolate eating.
Ruby the Ridgeback quite frankly has learned nothing about coins, however contributes by barking at anyone wearing hi-viz.
We're Always Buying!
We need to buy tens of thousands of dollars worth of coins and notes each and every week of the year.
If you'd like to turn all or part of your collection into cash, get in touch with our expert staff and we'll be happy to start working on a deal with you.
Australian Gold Coins
We have extensive experience in handling all Australian gold soveriegns and halves, from the Adelaide Pounds of 1852 right through to the last coins of George V of 1931. All of the Australian gold coins in our online shop are described in detail with high resolution images.
Coins
At Sterling & Currency, we specialize in handling Australian coins dating from our nation's settlement in 1788 through to the introduction of decimal currency in 1966. We have an extensive range in our online store of Australian gold, copper and silver coins.
Decimal Coins
The Australian proof and UNC coins struck by the Perth Mint and the Royal Australian Mint are the most accessible coins available to collectors today. If you're not able to find a particular coin that you're keen to add to your collection, let us know and we'll be contact you when it becomes available.