Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1390. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $770. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

VITELLIUS. 69 AD. AR Denarius (3.24 gm). Rome mint. Struck April-December 69 AD. Bare head right / Tripod-lebes surmounted by dolphin right; raven standing right below. RIC I 70; BMCRE 3; RSC 115. Good VF, nice metal, broad flan. ($750)

The tripod, dolphin, and raven suggest Apollo, the god of prophecy. As such, the reverse is likely a reference to the quindecimviri sacris faciundis, one of the four major priesthoods, whose main function was to guard the Sibylline Books, a collection of largely prophetic texts which traditionally dated to the reign of Tarquin the Proud, the last king of Rome. Beginning in the early Republic, the priesthood's members came from some of Rome's most aristocratic families, including that of Vitellius. It was usual practice for the Emperor to be elected into all the chief priestly colleges, but Vitellius placed special importance on this college because he had belonged to it as a private citizen.