RIC I (second edition) Vitellius 56
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC I (second edition) Vitellius 56. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Vitellius. Mint: Lugdunum. The obverse shows head of Vitellius, laureate, right; globe at point of neck, with the legend A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN.
The reverse shows jupiter, naked to waist, seated left, holding thunderbolt in right and sceptre in left, all in distyle temple, with the legend I O MAX CAPITOLINVS.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Struck at the mint of Lugdunum, this silver denarius formed part of the standard Roman silver coinage. The obverse presents Vitellius alongside the inscription "A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN", reflecting the honorific title Germanicus that he adopted instead of Caesar upon his accession. The reverse carries the legend "I O MAX CAPITOLINVS" and depicts Jupiter seated within a distyle temple, holding a sceptre and thunderbolt.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Lugdunum
- Authority
- Vitellius
Design
- Obverse
- Head of Vitellius, laureate, right; globe at point of neck
- Reverse
- Jupiter, naked to waist, seated left, holding thunderbolt in right and sceptre in left, all in distyle temple
- Obverse legend
- A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN
- Reverse legend
- I O MAX CAPITOLINVS
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC I (second edition) Vitellius 56
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN
- Reverse legend to match
- I O MAX CAPITOLINVS
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.1(2).vit.56
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.