A denarius of Vitellius struck at the Rome Mint during the turbulent Year of the Four Emperors. Coins of this ruler are sought after due to his exceptionally brief reign, which lasted only eight months.
Vitellius was proclaimed emperor by the Rhine legions at the beginning of AD 69. Following the defeat of Otho’s forces at the First Battle of Bedriacum, he assumed power in Rome. Later that same year, the legions supporting Vespasian rose against him. After the Vitellian army was defeated at the Second Battle of Bedriacum, the emperor was captured and killed in December AD 69.
The reverse depicts Concordia, the personification of harmony and agreement. The legend CONCORDIA P R, referring to the harmony of the Roman people, was intended to emphasise the restoration of national unity following the civil war. Given the continuing struggle between rival claimants to the throne, this message was distinctly propagandistic.
Despite the substantial loss to the flan, the coin retains a distinctive portrait of the emperor, clearly displaying his characteristic facial features.
An interesting denarius of one of Rome’s shortest-reigning emperors, struck during the dramatic civil war of AD 69.
Roman Imperial
Vitellius (69), Denarius 69, Rome
Obverse: laureate head right
A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P
Reverse: Concordia seated left holding patera and cornucopiae
CONCORDIA P R
Diameter 18 mm, weight 2.58 g
