Galba from Gemini XIV

I missed out on a lot I was bidding on from the Naumann auction today. I have looked at the unsold lots a few times from the Gemini XIV auction and one particular coin caught my eye. It is a rare Galba minted at Tarraco. I sent an email and asked to buy the lot. I just received word that it is mine.

What I have found online:

Acsearch=0
CNG=0
Coin archives= this coin
Major Museum collections (OCRE) = 1 in the British museum, 1 in Paris

I love the dark toning of this coin. It also has a great provenance. It was part of the Dr. Jyrki Muona collection. This is my second Galba denarius from his collection. It is far from a perfect coin, but that is part of the charm for me. The figure on the reverse is well defined, but it is the bust of Galba that really makes this coin, as there is so much character in the portrait. It is a shame that so much of the legend is missing, but I am glad most of the name is there.

I am thrilled to add this interesting coin to my collection.

Please post your coins of Galba.

I have included the full description from the catalogue.

Galba. 68-69 AD. Denarius, 3.50gg. (5h). Tarraco. Obv: GALBA - IM[PERATOR] Head laureate right on globe. Rx: LIB - [ERTAS] - RESTITVTA Libertas standing left, apparently emptying a cup and holding scepter. BM 198, pl. 54.3. RIC 9 (R2), pl. 24 (the BM spec.). Cf. Paris 12, pl.III (apparently no globe below bust). Cohen 133 (120 Fr.). VF.

Ex Jyrki Muona Collection.

On the Paris specimen of this coin the scepter on reverse has a thickened upper end, so Cohen thought it was a thyrsus and called the figure Ariadne. On the BM specimen the scepter has no bulge at the end, but Matting still followed Cohen in calling it a "thyrsus(?)", and suggested that the figure was a Bacchante, the type perhaps referring to "some kindness that Galba rendered to Spain in the form of removal of restrictions on the culture of vines" (Introduction, p. ccix). It seems more probable that the deity is just Libertas, as named in the legend, and that the cup she apparently empties on several dies, replacing her normal cap of liberty, is merely an engraver's whim or error.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Very nice @Orfew. Jealous!!!!!

 

Nice rarity!

 

that is a kool Iberian denarius of Galba. congrats!..:0 Galba AR Denarius Rome mint July 68 January 69 OBVERSE:IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AUG. Laureate bust right. REVERSE: DIVA AUGUSTA, deified Livia standing facing left holding patera and scepter NGC #4276512-002 RIC 189; RSC 55a

 

Please give us more information on that coin.

 

You can never have enough from Galba! Great coin. I've sold a coin to Jyrki but don't have one of his.



IMP SER GALBA AVG
Laureate head right

DIVA AVGVSTA
Livia standing left holding patera and sceptre

Rome, November 68 AD-January 69AD

RIC 150, BMC 5, RSC 52a

2.94g

Rare with this short obverse legend

Ex-Incitatus

 

Awesome addition! You're building quite the collection of rarities!

 

A great coin of Galba @Orfew - It almost has a Republican feel to it.

 

there..how's zat?!?...

 

GALBA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG P M - Laureate head right
REVERSE: VICTORIA P R - Victory standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm
Struck at Rome, Oct/Nov 68AD
3.2g, 18mm
RIC 234

 

Very distinctive portrait on that coin. Nice one Jay.

 

Great coin @Bing I really like the variety of portraits on Galba denarii. I also like the near complete legends on the obverse.

 

Here is an overcleaned UGLY GALBA to make everyone look good!


Galba. A.D. 68-69.
AE dupondius (11.11 g).
Rome mint, struck A.D. 68. SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG TR P, bare head right /
S P Q R/ OB/ CIV SER, legend within oak wreath.
RIC 290. NGC F 4/5, 2/5
(yeah, I busted this guy out...too much time in the prison...was in too many prison fights)

 

well done..

 

Wonderful addition!

Galba
AE25 Diobol
Alexandria, Egypt.
Obv. Laur. head left.
Rev. Bust of Isis right.
Dattari 320. Year 2 = 68/69 AD.

 

Hi Andrew, that is a very interesting denarius of Galba.
A very unusual portrait, and both obverse and reverse are of a style and type that I do not believe I have seen before.
Galba's Spanish coins are really different in style from their Rome counterparts, as you noted. The range is really quite amazing for such a short-lived emperor.
Your coin reminds a lot of the example which I posted here a while back (It is considered to be unique).
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ga...-unpublished-possibly-unique-specimen.307481/

You may want to post your coin in the French Ancients Forum as well. There are some quite knowledgeable people there on the coinage of Galba.

Eduard

 

Fantastic coin, love the facial features and toning. Great pick-up.

 

Thanks @Eduard
I really like your unique coin of Galba. I have agree, the stye of his coins varies incredibly widely for such a short reign.

Could you pm me a link to the French forum you mentioned?

Andrew

 

I'm agree with Eduard, it's a very interesting Galba coin. And in a good state for the rarity.