Vitellius, with Vitellius the Elder, 69. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.30 g, 6 h), Rome. [A VITELLIV]S GERM IMP AVG TR P Laureate head of Vitellius to right. Rev. [L V]ITELLIVS COS III [CENSOR] Vitellius the Elder, togate, seated left on curule chair, feet on footstool, extending his right hand and eagle-tipped scepter in his left. BMC p. 371, note. Cohen 55. RIC 97. Very rare. Fine.


The reverse of this denarius shows the emperor’s father, Lucius Vitellius, seated on a curule chair, his feet resting on a footstool, and holding an eagle-tipped scepter. The accompanying legend, L VITELLIVS COS III CENSOR, indicates that he served as consul three times - an astounding achievement for someone outside the imperial family - and also held the office of censor. These distinctions helped to elevate the image of Vitellius himself, showing that he came from one of Rome’s most illustrious political families.