Roman Coins of Galba

Home ▸ Catalog ▸ Roman Coins ▸ The Twelve Caesars ▸ Galba

View Options:

| | |

Galba, 3 April 68 - 15 January 69 A.D.

Galba was governor of Hispania Tarraconensis when he was proclaimed emperor by his troops. The Senate recognized his authority in Jul 68. His avarice, ruthlessness and refusal to pay a promised donative to the praetorian guards made him unpopular. He was assassinated in a conspiracy plotted by Otho.

Other than an undescribed photograph in RSC II, this type is apparently unpublished. Although not in RIC, it is in Southerland's unpublished RIC I addenda.SH72977. Silver denarius, RSC II p. 24 (photograph, but not described!, same rev. die), RIC I 94 var., BMCRE I 215 var., BnF I 50 var., Hunter -, S - (var. all SER GALBA IMP), VF, porous and pitted, edge scrape reverse top left, weight 3.389 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, die axis 180^o, Tarraco mint, c. 3 Apr - late 68 A.D.; obverse GALBA IMPER (arcing left to right above), Galba on horseback prancing left, bare-headed, wearing military garb, cloak flying behind, raising right hand in salute; reverse VIRTVS (arcing downward on right), helmeted and draped bust of Virtus (valor, courage) right, crested helmet; from the Jyrki Muona Collection; extremely rare; $2150.00 (�1913.50)

�

With this coin Galba asserts that he has restored freedom, but this was empty propaganda. Galba was notoriously cruel, sentenced many to death without trial, raised taxes, and rarely accepted requests for citizenship.RS72971. Silver denarius, RIC I 7 (R2); BMCRE I 197, BnF I 4, RSC I 132, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, VF, lightly toned, lightly etched surfaces, weight 3.204 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, die axis 180^o, Tarraco mint, April - late 68 A.D.; obverse GALBA IMPERATOR, laureate head right; reverse LIBERTAS RESTITVTA (liberty restored), head of Libertas right, hair knotted behind, wearing pearl necklace; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, ex Artcoins auction 6 (10 Dec 2012), lot 800 (the one and only sale of this type on Coin Archives); extremely rare; $1350.00 (�1201.50)

�

Roman Civil Wars, Revolt of Galba, Governor of Spain, April - June 68 A.D.

Galba lived in Tarraco for eight years. This coin was issued by Galba as governor of Spain in revolt against Nero. The obverse is copied from Republican denarii struck in 62 B.C. by the moneyer L. Scribonius Libo.SH63560. Silver denarius, RIC I 9 (R4), RSC II 396, BMCRE I 9, SRCV I 2072, F, toned, weight 3.515 g, maximum diameter 17.7 mm, die axis 225^o, Tarraco(?) mint, Apr - Jun 68 A.D.; obverse BON EVENT, young female head (Bonus Eventus) right, fillet around forehead; reverse ROM RENASC, Roma standing right in military garb, Victory on globe in right hand, eagle-tipped scepter over left shoulder in left; bargain priced for this interesting R4 rarity implying the restoration of the Republic!, from the Jyrki Muona Collection; very rare (R4); $1170.00 (�1041.30)

�

The wreath on the reverse is the corona civica, the oak wreath awarded to Roman citizens ex senatus consulto (by special decree of the Senate) for saving the life of another citizen by slaying an enemy in battle. It became a prerogative for Roman emperors to be awarded the Civic Crown, originating with Augustus, who was awarded it in 27 B.C. for saving the lives of citizens by ending the series of civil wars. The shield in the center commemorates the golden shield awarded to Augustus by the Senate for his virtue, piety, justice and clemency, which was kept on display in the Curia Iulia.SH72982. Silver denarius, RIC I 47 (R2), RSC II 282, BMCRE I 190, BnF III 28, Hunter I 71, SRCV I -, VF, hoard patina, some smoothing around bust, weight 3.439 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 180^o, Tarraco mint, 3 Apr - Aug 68 A.D.; obverse GALBA IMPERATOR, laureate head right, globe at point of bust; reverse S P Q R on round shield, surrounded by oak-wreath; from the Jyrki Muona Collection; ex CNG e-auction 202 (14 Jan 2009), lot 195; ex White Mountain Collection; very rare; $1120.00 (�996.80)

�

Otho expected Galba to make him caesar, but Galba selected Piso. Otho roused the discontented Praetorians who hailed him as their emperor on 15 January 69. Galba at once set out to meet the rebels, though he was so feeble that he had to be carried in a litter. According to Suetonius, Galba had put on a linen corset, remarking that it offered little protection against so many swords. He was met by a troop of Otho's cavalry and was killed near Lacus Curtius. One guard, centurion Sempronius Densus, died defending him. Piso was killed shortly afterwards. According to Plutarch, during Galba's last moments he offered his neck, and said, "Strike, if it be for the good of the Romans!" After his death, Galba's head was brought to Otho, who gave it to his camp followers who paraded and mocked it. The head was then bought by a freedman so he could throw it on the place where his former master had been executed on Galba's orders. Later Galba's steward buried both his head and trunk in a tomb by the Aurelian Road.RS72983. Silver denarius, RIC I 193 (R2), BMCRE I 16, RSC II 83, BnF III 89, Hunter I 1 var. (no CAESAR, Aug - Oct 68), SRCV I 2103 var. (same), VF, elegant style, light toning on nice surfaces, high-points flatly struck, weight 3.512 g, maximum diameter 19.0 mm, die axis 180^o, Rome mint, Nov 68 - Jan 69 A.D.; obverse IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG, laureate head right; reverse HISPANIA (counterclockwise starting on left), Hispania advancing left, draped, poppy and two stalks of grain in extended right hand, round shield and two transverse spears in left hand; from the Jyrki Muona Collection; a very rare late issue - none on Coin Archives; $720.00 (�640.80)

�

Galba, 3 April 68 - 15 January 69 A.D.

On the death of Caligula, Galba refused the invitation of his friends to make a bid for the empire, and loyally served Claudius. For the first half of Nero's reign he lived in retirement, until 61, when the emperor bestowed on him the province of Hispania Tarraconensis. In the spring of 68, at the time of Julius Vindex' insurrection in Gaul, Galba was informed of Nero's intention to put him to death. Learning of Vindex's defeat and suicide Galba hesitated to claim the throne. He took the title caesar only after Nero's suicide and after he was told that Nymphidius Sabinus, the Praetorian Prefect, had given him his favor. This type was struck to for Hispania to thank the province for supporting his bid for the purple.SH73001. Silver denarius, RIC I 21 (R2), RSC II 80, BMCRE I 174, BnF III 10, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, F, centered, dark toning, porous, weight 3.335 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 180^o, Tarraco mint, c. Apr - late 68 A.D.; obverse GALBA IMP (clockwise from upper right), laureate head right, globe at tip of neck; reverse HISPANIA (clockwise on left), Hispania standing left, draped, poppy and two stalks of grain in extended right hand, two vertical spears and round shield behind in left hand; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, this is the first example of this type handled by Forum; very rare; $540.00 (�480.60)

�

On 8 June 68, the Roman Senate accepted Galba as emperor. The following day, four miles outside Rome, after being deserted by the Praetorian Guard, Nero committed suicide by stabbing himself in the throat.SH79767. Orichalcum sestertius, BnF III 197, BMCRE I 81, Cohen I 185, RIC I 359 var. (draped), SRCV I -, F, corrosion, pitting, weight 25.016 g, maximum diameter 33.3 mm, die axis 180^o, Rome mint, c. Oct 68 A.D.; obverse IMP SER GALBA CAES AVG P M TR P, laureate head right; reverse Roma standing left, Victory on globe presenting wreath in Roma's right hand, spear vertical behind in left hand, S - C over RO-MA in two lines divided across field; scarce; $500.00 (�445.00)

�

In the spring of 68, Galba was informed of Nero's intention to put him to death. On 2 April 68, at Carthago Nova, Galba declared himself the "representative of the Roman people" and received salutation by the troops as Imperator. This was not quite a claim to the throne, but was clearly rebellion. This rare denarius is from a small issue struck in Gaul during the period after Galba's salutation as imperator, but before his recognition as Augustus in mid-June. On the reverse Galba claims he will achieve Victory for the Roman people.BB76887. Silver denarius, RIC I 111 (R2), BMCRE I 227, RSC II 322, BnF III -, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, aVF, toned, scratch, light corrosion, weight 3.352 g, maximum diameter 18.8 mm, die axis 180^o, uncertain Gaul (Narbo?) mint, c. 10 April - mid Jun 68 A.D.; obverse SER GALBA IMPERATOR (counter-clockwise from lower right), laureate and draped bust right; reverse VICTORIA P R (counter-clockwise from upper left), Victory standing left on globe, wreath in right hand, palm frond in her left; rare; $400.00 (�356.00)

�

Livia was the wife of Augustus, mother of Tiberius, paternal grandmother of Claudius, paternal great-grandmother of Caligula, and maternal great-great-grandmother of Nero. Livia and Augustus remained married for 51 years. They had no children. Livia always enjoyed the status of privileged counselor to her husband, petitioning him on the behalf of others and influencing his policies, an unusual role for a Roman wife. Living very simply and frugally, Livia set an example of Roman virtue which made her quite popular with the people. According to some ancient historians, however, Livia poisoned Augustus' potential heirs and then Augustus himself to make her son emperor. When he was emperor, Tiberius and Livia, had a falling out. On her death in 29 A.D., he did not see fit to have her consecrated. When Claudius came to power, he argued that every God needed a consort (referring to the deified Augustus). The Senate accepted this logic, and she was declared a goddess.SH72998. Silver denarius, RIC I 14 (R2), BMCRE I 167, RSC II 43, BnF III 8, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, aVF, light corrosion, cleaning scratches, weight 2.996 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 180^o, Tarraco mint, Apr - Aug 68 A.D.; obverse IMP GALBA, laureate head right, globe behind the point of neck; reverse DIVA AVGVSTA, Livia standing slightly left, head left, patera in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand; from the Jyrki Muona Collection; very rare; $340.00 (�302.60)

�

Antioch, Syria, Civic Issue, 68 - 69 A.D.

McAlee and RPC I identify the head as Apollo. SNG Copenhagen and BMC Galatia, older references, identify the head as Artemis. Although the laurel branch indicates Apollo and Apollo is often depicted quite feminine, on most coins it does look more like a woman.RY73060. Bronze dichalkon, McAlee 116; RPC I 4323; BMC Galatia p. 162, 93; SNG Cop 106 var. (reversed date arrangement); SNG M�nchen -, Choice VF, green patina with red earthen highlighting, weight 4.393 g, maximum diameter 16.4 mm, die axis 45^o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, reigns of Galba and Otho, 68 - 69 A.D.; obverse head of Artemis or Apollo right, hair bound with a taenia; reverse laurel branch, ET ZIP (from upper right, year 117 Caesarean era); scarce; $75.00 (�66.75)

�

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES

OBVERSE LEGENDS

CAESARAVGGALBAIMP
GALBACAESARAVGPM
GALBAIMP
GALBAIMPER
GALBAIMPERAT
GALBAIMPERATOR
IMPGALBA
IMPGALBACAESARAVGPP
IMPSGALBA
IMPSERGALBA
IMPSERGALBAAVG
IMPSERGALBAAVGPM
IMPSERGALBAAVGTRP
IMPSERGALBAAVGVSTVS
IMPSERGALBACAEAVGTRP
IMPSERGALBACAESAR
IMPSERGALBACAESARAVG
IMPSERGALBACAESARAVGPM
IMPSERGALBACAESAVGPMTRP
IMPSERGALBACAESAVGPONMTRP
IMPSERGALBACAESAVGTRP
IMPSERSVLPGALBACAESAVGTRP
IMPSERSVLPIGALBACAESAVGTRP
IMPSERSVLPICGALBACAESAVGTRP
IMPSERSVLPICIVSGALBACAESARAVG
SEAGALBAEHISPANIA
SERGALBACAESARAVG
SERGALBACAESARAVGPMTRP
SERGALBAAVG
SERGALBAAVGIMP
SERGALBAIMP
SERGALBAIMPAVG
SERGALBAIMPAVGVSTVS
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPMTP
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPMTRPPP
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPMTRPOT
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPOMATRP
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPONMATRP
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPONTMAXTRP
SERGALBAIMPCAESARAVGTRP
SERGALBAIMPCAESAVG
SERGALBAIMPCAESAVGPMTRP
SERGALBAIMPCAESAVGTRP
SERGALBAIMPERATOR
SERGALBEIMPERATOR
SERSVLPICGALBACAESAVGTRP
SERSVLPICGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPMTRP
SERSVLPICIGALBAEIMPA
SERSVLPICIVSGALBA
SERSVLPICIVSGALBAIMPAVG
SERSVLPIGALBAIMPCAEAVGPMTRP
SERSVLPIGALBAIMPCAESARAVGPMTRP
SERSVLPIGALBAIMPCAESARAVGTRP
SERVGALBAIMP
SERVIVSGALBAIMPERATOR
SGALBAIMP

REFERENCES

American Numismatic Society (ANS) Collections Database Online - http://numismatics.org/search/search
Banti, A. & L. Simonetti. Corpus Nummorum Romanorum. (Florence, 1972-1979).
Burnett, A., M. Amandry & P.P. Ripoll�s. Roman Provincial Coinage I: From the death of Caesar to the death of Vitellius (44 BC-AD 69). (London, 1992 and supplement).
Calic�, X. The Roman Avrei, Vol. One: From the Republic to Pertinax, 196 BC - 193 AD. (Barcelona, 2003).
Calic�, E. Xavier. The Roman Avrei, Vol. I: From the Republic to Pertinax, 196 BC - 193 AD. (Barcelona, 2003).
Cay�n, J. Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano, Vol. I: De Pompeyo Magno a Matidia (Del 81 a.C. al 117 d.C.). (Madrid, 1984).
Cohen, H. Description historique des monnaies frapp�es sous l'Empire Romain, Vol. 1: Pompey to Domitian. (Paris, 1880).
Giard, J-B. Le monnayage de l'atelier de Lyon, De Claude Ier � Vespasien (41-78 apr�s J.-C.), et au temps de Clodius Albinus (196-197 apr�s J.-C.). Numismatique Romaine XX. (Wetteren, 2000).
Giard, Jean-Baptiste. Monnaies de l'Empire romain, III Du soul�vement de 68 apr�s J.-C. a Nerva. Catalogue Biblioth�que nationale de France. (Paris, 1998).
King, C.E. Roman Quinarii from the Republic to Diocletian and the Tetrarchy. (Oxford, 2007).
Kraay, C.M. The Aes Coinage of Galba. ANSNNM 133. (1956).
Mattingly, H. and R.A.G. Carson. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Vol 1: Augustus to Vitellius. (London, 1923).
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow, Vol. I. Augustus to Nerva. (Oxford, 1962).
Seaby, H.A. & R. Loosley. Roman Silver Coins, Vol. II: Tiberius to Commodus. (London, 1979).
Sear, David R. Roman Coins and Their Values, The Millennium Edition, Volume One, The Republic and the Twelve Caesars 280 BC - AD 86. (London, 2000).
Sutherland, C.H.V. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. I, From 39 BC to AD 69. (London, 1984).
Vagi, D. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. (Sidney, 1999).

Catalog current as of Sunday, July 17, 2016.
Page created in 1.342 seconds