Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Vitellius

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This silver coin was minted in Rome by the emperor Vitellius in 69 AD. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the obverse of the coin.

The obverse has the head of the emperor Vitellius wearing a laurel wreath and looking to the right. The legend '[A VITEL]LIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P' identifies the emperor and abbreviates some of his titles.

The designs on coins of the Roman Republic were chosen by individual moneyers, who often commemorated their own families. Coins of the Empire, however, focussed on the emperor and his family. Almost all gold and silver coins feature the head of the emperor or his family on the obverse.

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-498-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1934.630
• Date: Minted in 69 AD
  
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• References:
  • Sutherland, C.H.V. The Roman Imperial Coinage. From 31 BC to AD 69. Vol. 1, revised ed. London: Spink and Son Ltd, 1984. 
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  • Coin (obverse), Denarius, of Vitellius