Rhine Legions. Anonymous, circa May/June-December 68. Denarius (Subaeratus, 17 mm, 2.80 g, 6 h), uncertain mint in Gaul or in the Rhine Valley. 'G P R Group I'. •GENIVS• •P• •R• Diademed head of the Genius of the Roman people to right; behind, scepter. Rev. MARS VLTOR Mars, nude but for helmet and parazonium slung around his chest, advancing right, wielding spear in his right hand and holding shield in his left. BMC 21 note. CG 37.1 (this coin). Cohen -. Martin 27 and pl. 2, 27 R = Nicolas 28 and pl. II, 28 RO (same dies). RIC 44. Of the highest rarity, one of only three known examples and the only one in private hands. A very interesting issue of great historical importance. Minor scratches and with some breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine.


What makes this coin so important is that it shares its obverse die with a coin from the 'Vitellius Group' (Martin 14 and pl. 2, 14 P = Nicolas 14 and pl. XVII, 14 P). This observation links the issue to those struck after the appointment of Vitellius to commander of the Rhine army on 1st December 68 and thus provides additional evidence in support of the view that the emission of anonymous denarii by the Rhine Legions was not restricted to the initial revolt against Nero in spring 68, but in fact continued throughout the rest of the year. When Vitellius took over command in December 68, he also brought under control the legions' resources, including their military mints that had been set up when the revolt started, explaining how he got hold of the present obverse die.