Forces of Vitellius in Spain. In the name of Divus Augustus, died AD 14, 2 January-19 April 69. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.40 g, 6 h), uncertain mint in Spain (Tarraco?). DIVVS AVGVSTVS Radiate head of Divus Augustus to right, small globe at point of bust. Rev. SENATVS P Q ROMANVS Victory advancing left, holding shield inscribed S P / Q R in two lines. BMC 59 var. (differing style). CG 167.1 (this coin). Cohen 254 ('Augustus'). Martin A 26 and pl. 12, A 26 B 2 = Nicolas 29 and pl. XXII, A29B (same dies). RIC 116. Very rare. Nicely toned and struck on a very broad flan. A few light marks, otherwise, very fine.


There is an issue in the name of Augustus with a very similar reverse to our coin (SENAT S P Q R: Martin A 25, Nicolas A26 and RIC 110), but of much cruder fabric and style and with a shield inscribed CL V on the reverse. These coins are part of Group A.III struck under Galba (see lots 1049-1051 above), just like BMC 59 and pl. 51, 18. Style and fabric of this particular example, on the other hand, particularly its broad and thin flan, as well as the delicate execution of the reverse type and the appearance of a globe below the bust, all of this points to a production in Spain under Vitellius in the first half of 69 (for a particularly similar denarius of Vitellius, see CNG E-Auction 482 (2020), 391. See also lot 1176 below).

Thus, what looks like a coherent type, namely Divus Augustus on the obverse with Victory advancing left on the reverse, was issued by more than one civil war faction. Intriguing as this observation is, it shows that grouping civil war coins only by types is a dangerous endeavor that can easily lead to the wrong conclusions. In the troublesome years of 68 and 69, the coinage of each political stakeholder was eagerly received by their respective allies, opponents, and successors, leading to a conglomerate of intertwined numismatic iconography that only gradually reveals its secrets.