The Year of the Four Emperors, 69 AD, was a year of the Roman Empire in which four emperors ruled in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. On June 9, 68 AD, Nero was tried in absentia and condemned to death. He met death at his servant's hand, thereby attaining the distinction of being the first Roman Emperor to nearly commit suicide. The four most influential generals in the Empire successively vied for imperial power. Galba was unable to establish his authority. Otho murdered Galba on 15 January with the help of the Praetorian Guard.
Galba - US$64,400
Otho US$191,500 (2005)
Otho faced Vitellius, who had been acclaimed by the legions of the Rhine on 1 January 69. Vitellius won the First Battle of Bedriacum on 14 April. Otho committed suicide the next day. Vespasian was legate of Syria. Vespasian's legions were victorious at the Second Battle of Bedriacum on 24 October. Vitellius was subsequently killed by a mob on 20 December.
Vitellius - Very rare, 10 known. US$43,800
Vespasian US$13,600
Vespasian brought stability to the empire. After his death in 79, he was succeeded by his eldest son Titus, thus becoming the first Roman emperor to be directly succeeded by his own natural son.
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