© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Sestertius - Vitellius VICTORIA AVGVSTI S C; Victory
69 year| Bronze | 24.5 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Vitellius (Aulus Vitellius) (69) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 69 |
| Value | 1 Sestertius = ¼ Denarii |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 24.5 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#244222 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Victory, naked to waist, inscribing OB CIVES SER on shield on palm tree, resting left foot on helmet
Script: Latin
Lettering: VICTORIA AVGVSTI S C
Unabridged legend: Victoria Augusti, Senatus Consultum.
Translation: Victory of the emperor. Decree of the senate.
Comment
Mass varies: 24.46–24.55 g;Source: Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of the Roman goddess Victory (Victoria) on one side, which was a common motif on Roman coins, particularly during the reign of Vitellius (69 AD). The image of Victory was meant to symbolize the power and dominance of the Roman Empire, and it was often depicted holding a wreath or a palm branch, as seen on this coin. The use of Victory as a symbol of Roman power and authority can be traced back to the early days of the Roman Republic and continued throughout the Roman Empire, making it a prominent and enduring feature of Roman coinage.
