| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31065 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Vitellius (16 April-22 December AD 69). AV aureus (20mm, 7.29 gm, 6h). NGC AU 5/5 - 2/5, scratches. Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P, laureate head of Vitellius right / PONT-MAXIM, Vesta enthroned right, patera in outstretched right hand, grounded scepter in left. Calicó 571a. RIC I 106. A remarkable portrait of Vitellius is showcased on this coin, struck against surfaces that boast a lustrous, satin-like finish. Dark undertone shadows enhance the designs of the coin. Born the son of the influential senator Lucius Vitellius in AD 15, Aulus Vitellius was raised in the lap of luxury. The younger Vitellius developed a penchant for gambling, along with a gourmand's appetite and corpulent physique. He served as Consul in AD 48, where he acquitted himself well but resumed his disreputable habits in later years. This served to land him heavily in debt by the time Nero's regime collapsed, in AD 68. The new emperor, Galba, appointed Vitellius governor of Germania Inferior, believing him to be utterly without ambition or talent and, therefore, a safe choice. But officers in the Rhine legions grew disenchanted with Galba's parsimony and persuaded Vitellius to make a try for the throne. On 1 January AD 69, the Rhine legions proclaimed Vitellius emperor at the city of Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne). His promise of lavish bonuses and easy discipline quickly won the legions of Gaul, Britain and Raetia over to his cause. His march on Rome took on the appearance of a Bacchic procession, with his soldiers drinking heavily and pillaging the countryside. In the meantime, Galba had been overthrown in Rome by Otho, who marched north with the Praetorian Guard. The hard-fought First Battle of Bedriacum in mid-April went to Vitellius' larger force, and Otho opened his veins. Arriving in Rome, Vitellius was confirmed as emperor, by a reluctant Senate. He treated his elevation as an excuse for one long banquet, reportedly spending the equivalent of $2 billion on delicacies from all over the Empire. While he indulged his appetites, the armies of the East proclaimed General Vespasian as emperor on 1 July, launching a new round of civil war. The legions of the Danube joined in the revolt and invaded Italy on Vespasian's behalf. Within weeks, soldiers loyal to Vespasian forced their way into Rome and swept aside all opposition. They found Vitellius hiding in the imperial doorkeeper's quarters. Hauled half-naked to the Forum, the onetime emperor was mocked, tortured, and slain. His corpse was dumped unceremoniously in the Tiber. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-vitellius-16-april-22-december-ad-69-av-aureus-20mm-729-gm-6h-ngc-au-5-5-2-5-scratches/a/3115-31065.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 50000-75000 USD |  |
