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Crawford 406/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, P. Sulpicius Galba, AR Denarius
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Rome, The Republic.
P. Sulpicius Galba, 69 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.85g;18mm).
Rome mint.
Obverse: Veiled head of Vesta facing right; S.C. behind.
Rev: Priestly implements, i.e. knife, culullus and axe; P GALB in exergue; AE-CVR in fields.
References: Crawford 406/1; Sydenham 839; BMCRR 3517-8; Sulpicia 7.
Provenance: Ex Student and Mentor Collection [NAC 83 (20 May 2015) Lot 356]; ex Münzen und Medaillen Auction 52 (19-20 June 1975), Lot 378.
Galba issued these coins by special Senatorial decree while he held the office of Curule Aedile. The type selection suggests that he was also a Pontifex at this time, as the reverse depicts the priestly implements used in ritual sacrifice and often included on coins struck by members of the priestly college. The Senatorial decree, represented by “S.C.” on the obverse may have been related to grain distribution, though this is conjectural. Among other duties, Curule Aediles were responsible for maintenance and distribution of the public grain supply.
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