Roman Empire, Civil War AD 68-69, AR Denarius, anonymous issue of Rhine Legions, c. May-June 68, uncertain mint in Gaul or in the Rhine Valley. 'Fides Group'

Obv. FIDES - [E]XERCITVVM, Clasped right hands. 

Rev. FIDES - PRAETORIANORVM, Clasped right hands. 

Silver, 3.30 g, 17.2 mm. BMC 64; CG 7.7; Cohen 363; Martin 7; Nicolas 8. RIC 121; Smyth VIII/32.

Grade: Good Very Fine, lightly toned. 

The period of the civil war of 68-69 is an extremely interesting episode in the history of the coinage of the Roman Empire. The coins minted during this short time were very diverse and had primarily political and ideological overtones. The coin above is a beautiful example of an anonymous issue with images and legends of a military nature, referred to as Military Class. The chronology of these issues and the location of the mints is a matter of debate. It is known that Galba and Vitellius undertook the production of money in the provinces under their control. This coin is attributed to Vitellius, who controlled Upper Germania. This type of denarii was undoubtedly minted in order to pay for the troops, on whose faithfulness and maintenance the issuers depended. In the case of the offered coin, we can be sure that it was intended for soldiers. The clenched right hands on the obverse and reverse, and the inscription FIDES EXERCITVVM (literally Fidelity of the Army) were a very literal ideological message.