Lot 2124

Description

Vitellius, (A.D. 69), silver denarius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 69, obv. laureate head of Vitellius to right, [A VIT]ELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P around, rev. Libertas standing facing head to right, holding pileus and long sceptre, around LIBERTAS RESTITVTA, (RIC 18, BMC 13, C.48). Scrape on cheek and on revere, otherwise good very fine and rare.

Libertas had been one of the major themes of Galba's coinage and is here revived by Vitellius when faced by the rebellion of Vespasian in the East. Vitellius clearly wished to quench the fires of revolt by posing as the true champion of liberty.