| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 150 | Auction date: 2 December 2024 |
| Lot number: 804 Price realized: 55,000 CHF (Approx. 62,422 USD / 59,101 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Vitellius, April –December 69 Aureus late April 69-December 69, AV 20 mm, 7.25 g. A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P Laureate head r. Rev. XV VIR – SACR FAC Tripod with dolphin set r. on top and raven standing r. below. C 110. BMC –. RIC 85. CBN –. Calicó 585. Very rare. A bold portrait struck in high relief on a full flan, minor merks, otherwise extremely fine Ex Roma Numismatics sale 10, 2015, 754. From a Scandinavian private collection. Had the strange and unpredictable tides of civil war not intervened in the life of Aulus Vitellius, he probably would have remained unknown to history, except, perhaps, for the chance discovery of his tombstone. Instead, Galba appointed him governor of Lower Germany late in 68 with the intent of removing him from the capital, and once there Vitellius was swept into power at the head of an insubordinate army intent on marching to Rome to collect their unpaid bonus. As the uprising gained momentum the emperor whom the legions intended to threaten, Galba, was overthrown by his subordinate Otho, who was doomed to a very brief reign. Already en route, the German legions decided to continue, and after they had triumphed in a bloody contest with Otho's army in Northern Italy the senate hailed their candidate Augustus. Vitellius was still in Gaul with the remainder of his troops when he learned of the victory and the actions of the senate, and he celebrated upon reaching the provincial capital of Lugdunum. He then continued on to Italy and joined the advance legions, leading his 60,000 men on a leisurely march toward Rome that occupied more than a month. Upon arriving he remained in office for eight chaotic months until armies loyal to a new contender, Vespasian, marched on Rome and caused his overthrow. Estimate: 60000 CHF |  |
