Galba Alexandrian Tet.

I try not to post coins I have for sale, but this one is pretty cool and rare:

Galba, 68 - 69 AD
AE Sestertius, Rome Mint, 36mm, 26.49 grams
Obverse: SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG TR P, Laureate head of Galba right.
Reverse: ROMA R XL S C, Roma in military garb standing left holding statue of Fortuna on globe and transverse aquila, rests on trophy with foot on helmet, shield to left.

ACG7a // BMC84 // Cohen193

The legend R XL stands for remissa quadragesima, celebrating Galbas repeal of the 2 1/2 percent tax on goods entering Gaul in appreciation of the help which Gaul and Spain had lent him. According to Suetonius (Suetonius Vespasian., 16), that very tax was reimposed by Vespasian shortly thereafter. The statue which Roma holds has been variously described by the major references: RIC calls it Victory, which it cannot be, since the statue has no wings and is holding no wreath; ACG and BN identify the statue as Pax, but Pax is not usually portrayed standing on a globe and typically holds an olive branch and scepter; BMCRE and Cohen identify the statue as Fortuna, which makes the most sense, since Fortuna commonly holds a cornucopia and is depicted in the presence of a globe.

 

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Cool addition Mat! I regret passing on one at the local shop

 

Great coin, Ken.

Thanks Randy & that sucks.