Lot 1275
Vitellius, 69-69 AD. Silver Denarius (3.59g). Tarraco(?), perhaps October-20 December AD 69. A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, laureate head of Vitellius left, globe at point of bust. Reverse: VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory advancing left, holding shield inscribed S P / Q R in two lines. RIC 36 var. (palm before bust); BN 13 var. (same); BMC 94 var. (same); RSC 101 var. (same). Pleasing portrait and toned. Extremely Rare. NGC grade Ch XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5. Estimated Value $2,000 - UP
The coinage of Vitellius is very thoroughly documented in RIC, so it is not often that we discover an unpublished variety like the present coin lacking the palm branch before the bust. The purpose of the palm branch must have been an expression of Victory. Since it is lacking on this coin, perhaps this suggests that faith in Vitellius' ultimate victory was lacking. If so, this would indicate a late date of issue, perhaps sometime between October and when Vitellius was assassinated on 20 December 69.
Ex Dipl.-Ing Christian Gollnow Collection; E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection (NAC 92, 23 May 2016), 2123.
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