Vitellius, with Vitellius the Elder, 69. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.32 g, 5 h), Rome. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P Laureate head of Vitellius to right. Rev. L VITELLIVS COS III CENSOR Vitellius the Elder, togate, seated left on curule chair, feet on footstool, extending his right hand and holding eagle-tipped scepter in his left. BMC 24. Cohen 55. RIC 97. Very rare. Minor flan splits and with light deposits, otherwise, about very 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.