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Auction: 24005 - The Official Coinex Auction of Ancient, British and World Coins
Lot: 116

Roman Empire, Vitellius (April-December AD 69), AE Sestertius, A VITELLIVS GERMANICVS IMP AVG P M TR P, laureate and draped bust right, rev. Mars advancing right, nude but for a legionary helmet and cloak, holding spear and aquila, S-C across fields, 26.22g (RIC 121; Cohen 80), an unfortunate die-flaw to the obverse inscription, nevertheless a marvellous portrait, rich in detail and carrying a poise gravitas evidently lacking in its subject, showcasing the exceptional imagination and skill of the engraver, reverse worn but overall very fine, rare and desirable, determined as having 'Altered Surfaces' by NGC, therefore ungraded [NGC Submission #8221849-024]

Provenance

The Major Hamish and Mrs Ann Orr-Ewing Collection of Roman Coins

As it turned out, while Vitellius had no military experience, he had the benefit of the support of some of the best legions in the legions in the Empire, and indeed outnumbered the now impoverished Otho with seven legions to Otho's one. While Otho had support from legions in the far-off province of Moesia and on the Danube, Gaul and Britannia declared their support for Vitellius, whose commanders quickly carved their way past the Alps in a pincer movement. Otho established a headquarters in March of 69 and forced battle at Bedriacum on 14 April, anticipating that he would be cut off from Rome if he waited any longer. The battle was exceptionally brutal, with approximately 40,000 dead, with a Vitellian victory as the outcome. Otho, who had not been present at the battle, was so disheartened by the result, that he committed suicide against the pleas of his commanders on 16 or 17 April. With Rufus once again refusing the call to rebel, Vitellius was hailed emperor by the senate on 19 April.
Vitellius, who had been put in charge of the German legions by Galba as an attempt to pacify the disgruntled legionaries, was about as unsuitable a candidate for emperor as could be found. However, the German legions wanted a willing rebel, and Vitellius was all too happy to oblige. Ancient biographers are implacably opposed to Vitellius, referring to his absurd gluttony - spending some nine million Sestertii on banquets during his reign - and his sordid sex life, supposedly having worked as a prostitute for the Emperor Tiberius on the island of Capri, a position he had been pushed into by his father, the Consul Lucius Vitellius. The younger Vitellius became a friend of Caligula, who complimented him on his chariot-racing skills - and indeed he was crippled after falling under Caligula's chariot during a race - and was a skilful dice-player, with the emperor Claudius being particularly impressed with his gambling skills. Having been named co-consul with his brother by Claudius in 48, Vitellius lived a life of carousing as an imperial hanger-on. He became close friends with Nero, accompanying the emperor on his singing tours, and the latter made him Governor of Africa from 55 to 57. After this, Vitellius's career was rather quiet until Galba made him governor of Germania, hoping in vain to quell any further claims to the imperial title.
Following the defeat and suicide of Otho, Vitellius was at the head of an army of some 60,000 men, whom he led on a disorganised march, replete with drinking and looting, leading him down the coast of Italy and eventually arriving at Rome. Vitellius held a lavish legionary procession, and he was formally presented with the title of Augustus on 18 July. This extravagant ceremony was not to last. The eastern legions, who had hitherto remained out of the fighting, did not want to see the German legions at the head of the empire: the east was the richest and most prosperous of Rome's provinces, and those led by the General Vespasian and his son Titus, had spent the past two years fighting a revolt in Judaea. Vespasian had officially declared support for Otho, and in July of 69, the eastern legions declared their support for him as emperor. In August, Vespasian decided to make the long march west, hoping that by the time he arrived in Rome, Vitellius would have been toppled, and further bloodshed could be avoided.


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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£1000