Finally got this re-imaged. One of my all-time favorite junk lot finds from early in my ancients career; this is likely responsible for me even thinking I could get one of every emperor! Roman Alexandria Galba, r. 8 June 68 - 15 January 69 AE "Obol" 24mm ΣEΡOYI ΓAΛBA AVTOK KAIΣ ΣEBA, Laureate head right Draped bust of Isis right, LB (date) in right field. Köln 241. Galba won the Principate largely by popular acclamation following the death of Nero; it soon became apparent that the heroic and iron-willed Galba of their memories had been replaced by a cranky, crotchety old man who refused the customary accession bonus and dished out execution orders like they were going out of style. The public and military grudgingly tolerated their new emperor for the remainder of 68, probably because he was clearly close to death and was seemingly grooming the popular Otho as his heir. The months wore on, and as Galba's health declined he delegated more and more power to his corrupt favorites, ultimately scorning Otho in favor of Piso. Things crumbled on New Year's Day 69 as Galba and his favorite Vinius were sworn in as consuls; the legions of Germania revolted in favor of Vitellius, and unrest swept across the empire. Two weeks later, on January 15, Otho scraped together enough cash to buy the loyalty of several of the Praetorian Guard, and the rest followed suit. They marched on Galba's palace and he was carried out on a litter to meet them, now too feeble to walk. The mutinous Praetorians denounced Galba, proclaimed Otho as emperor, and sentenced Galba and his posse to death. They were resisted only by a single bodyguard. Galba was beheaded and Otho was proclaimed emperor the same day. The "Year 2" coinage is the most likely of all of Galba's coinage to be attributed to the first two weeks of the Year of Four Emperors, although some doubt whether such a narrow attribution is possible - perhaps the coins were struck in the last month or two of 68, and certainly information did not travel as quickly across ancient Rome as has since the invention of the telegraph. These coins are not as rare as initially supposed, but they are nevertheless quite scarce. All bronze Alexandrian coins of Galba bear the date Year 2, indicating that he likely intended a large series. Post any relevant coins!
Very interesting coin. The closest thing I have in this time period is Nero. Nero. (A.D. 54-68) Type: Billon Tetradrachm, 25mm 12.73 grams, Alexandria mint Obverse: NERW KLAY KAIS SEB GER, Radiate head right Reverse: AVTO-KRA, Draped bust of Serapis right, wearing Kalathos, Date LI to right Reference: Milne 222, Koln 160, RPC 5274, BMCGr 156: Sear 2001.
Nice Obal, Finn. Galba, (68 - 69 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm, 13.6, 23mm, 12h; Egypt: Alexandria, AD 68. Obv.: ΛOY KAIΣ ΣOYΛΠ ΓAΛBA [-]; Laureate head right, LA in right field. Rev.: AΛEΞAN - ΔPEA; Draped bust of Alexandria right wearing elephant headdress. Reference: Dattari 298; RPC I, 5326 From the Aethelred Collection Galba (68 - 69 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch O: AYTOKPATWP GALBA C KAICAP CEBACTOC, bare head right. R: Eagle standing left, wreath in beak, on two laurel branches; palm to left, ETOYC B (date) below. Antioch Mint 14.4g 26mm RPC I 4198; Prieur 100; SNG Copenhagen 163a
Minted just prior to yours Finn235 when things looked a bit rosier. Galba Alexadria Tet, Struck 68 AD, 23.8mm, 12.83gm, Emmett 172.
GALBA GALBA 68-69 BCE AR Quinarius 15mm, 1.5g; Lugdunum mint Ox: SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG P M TR, laureate head right Rx VICTORIAE GALBAE AVG, Victory on globe standing left RIC 131 scarce 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
Alexandria started a new year on the 29 or 30 August (depending on Leap Year) so year two would be September 68 to his death being reported to that mint. The link below is a lot more than most of us want to know. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_calendar
Nice Alexandrian Galba. Here's mine Galba billon Tetradrachm Λ OYKΛIBΣ OYΛ Π ΓAΛBA KAIΣ ΣEB AVT laureate bust of Galba, right, LB (year 2) before PΩMH Helmeted, draped bust of Roma right, holding spear & sheild Alexandria, September 68 AD-January 69 AD 13.44g Scarce RPC 5330; Emmett 174 Ex-ANE In hand it has a wonderful dark consistent toning
Talking about Galba, two examples here currently for sale on ebay. One is described as ‘100% authentic and original’, the other one is listed as a ‘reproduction’. Is there really a difference between these 2 coins ???
