★ A Denarius of Vespasian with a portrait of Vitelli ★

Vespasian, 69-79. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.48 g, 7 h), Rome, January-June 70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. COS ITER FORT RED Fortuna standing left, holding cornucopiae in left hand and placing right on prow. BMC 7. Cohen 84. RIC 19. A beautiful example with a particularly interesting portrait, unusually well struck and perfectly centered. Good very fine.

The portrait on this early issue is still that of Vitellius, although a bit skinnier.