A Few Themes in the Coinage of Galba In his paper “The Propaganda of Accession of the Roman Emperor Galba” Ferguson (2014) discusses a number of issues of Galba and relates their propagandistic messages to events at the time reported by contemporary sources such as Suetonius. While Ferguson focusses on the accession of Galba, this method of comparing the reverses of Galba’s coins to the political situation of the day may also be used for other coins in Galba’s short reign. Ferguson does offer a caveat however. "Of the two forms of primary sources coins and ancient literature the numismatic evidence provides the most direct contemporary evidence, but also raises Challenges of interpretation. As Morgan (2006:3) remarks: “The most eye-.‐catching artifacts to have come down to us the coins struck by the emperors remain our least helpful guides to specific events despite all the work devoted to them by numismatists. For a start, Roman coinage was not struck on any systematic basis at this stage. There would be a flurry of issues at the start of a new reign, but then the flow tapered off.” One advantage for the reign of Galba, however, is that all of the coinage was still minted in a limited span of time from 68-.‐69 CE. Morgan (3) continues, “Then there is the fact that we cannot prove that the emperor in whose name a coin was minted was the person who picked the design.” The present paper, however, does not rest on the assumption that Galba himself chose the message, so long as Galba’s partisans, or those involved in spreading the message of his new regime, were responsible for the messages on his coins. Morgan (3) concludes, “And finally we cannot always determine whether such a legend referred to past events, present concerns, or hopes for the future. Obviously, the minting authorities were conveying some kind of general message, and apparently the consumer was supposed to swallow this message without demure, but that is about all we can say.” Through a comparison with literary evidence, however, considerably more detail can be shed on the messages depicted on coin legends." (Ferguson) According to RIC, the coinage of Galba is difficult to classify because of the lack of chronological indications. "It is uncertain how soon Galba reached Rome, 6 though it seems unnecessary to delay his arrival later than September. Once in Rome he remained there until his death on 15 January 69; 7 and at some time before 22 December 68-conceivably, indeed, fairly soon after his autumn arrival in Rome-he was elected pontifex maximus. No further chronological indications for his brief reign exist. Upon these few chronological indications, however, together with what is known of Galba's movements, must rest the mint attribution of his coinage, diverse in character and unusually difficult to analyse and classify." (Sutherland) Though the chronology of the coins minted during this short reign is difficult it is known that Galba was proclaimed emperor while in Spain. According to Suetonius Galba was governor for 8 years. Shortly after his proclamation he began to issue coins. One reason is that he needed to pay the troops. Troops who do not get paid tend to get a little grumpy. “His need for gold and silver coinage in his own name began immediately in Spain, therefore, and continued as he finally moved to Narbo during July and thence to Rome” (Sutherland). Here is an example of a very early issue for Galba minted in Spain. Sutherland proposes that early coins were minted in Tarraco because a mint had already existed there sometime before. Here is an example of one of those early coins. 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. Ex Gemini XIV April 2018 Lot 475. Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database. Notice that the only title used by Galba is Imperator or victorious general. It is not until several months later that additional titles were added. One of the most noticeable features of these coins concerns the portraits. “Obverse portraiture throughout this Spanish series is harshly uncouth, sometimes with scant likeness to Galba's features: the bust always terminates in a globe. Little help can be derived from any attempt to trace development in the portrait” (Sutherland). Take a look at the coin above, the portrait certainly stands out. There is no way to mistake this as a portrait of Rome. The other feature of note is the reverse legend LIBERTAS RESTITVTA or “Liberty restored”. Since the proclamation of Galba as emperor could be said to be a reaction to the ignominious end of the tyrannical rule of Neroone can see how a coin proclaiming liberty would be catering to the perceived wishes of the Roman public. Of course, the idea of liberty was a foundational idea for Rome and would have been a popular idea. This included the freedom from rule by kings. Before the first emperor of Rome the idea of liberty was portrayed on coins. Marcus Junius Brutus (54 BC). AR denarius (20.36 mm 4.04 g.). Rome. Obv: Head of Libertas right Rev: The consul Lucius Junius Brutus walking left between two lictors, carrying axes over their shoulders, and preceded by an accensus; BRVTVS in exergue. Crawford 433/1. Sydenham 906. RSC Junia 31. Purchased March 23, 2017 from Munzenkontor Kornbum on MA-Shops On the coin above minted by Brutus one of assassins of Julius Caesar ,liberty is prominent on the obverse. In this case the liberty referenced is the freedom from the tyranny of the kings that once ruled Rome. Brutus would later reference liberty as the reason why Julius Caesar had to be assassinated. Liberty is also the theme of this Spanish issue for Galba. Please note the very unusual portrait on the obverse of this coin. It reinforces Sutherland’s contention that it would be difficult to track any systematic development in the portraits. Galba. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (17.1mm, 3.03 g, 12h). Spanish mint (Tarraco?). Struck circa April-late AD 68. Obverse: Laureate head right; globe at point of bust GALBA IMP Rev: Libertas standing left, holding pileus with right hand, vindicta with left. LIBERTAS PUBLICA RIC I 23; RSC 118. Good Fine, toned, flatly struck. CNG 427, Lot: 433. From the Collection of a Texas Wine Doctor. Other themes emerged in the coinage of Spain for Galba. One example can be seen below. Again, the portrait is as Sutherland said-“uncouth”. Compare these portraits to those of the later Roman mint examples to see how stark the contrast really is. However, what I want to focus on is the reverse legend “VIRTVS”. “VIR” means man so Virtus can mean manliness strength or courage. It is the root of the word virility which denotes male potency. It is not difficult to see why an old man like Galba would want to be portrayed this way. There is some speculation that the reverse figure is actually a nude Galba. If so, this would be very unusual because nude representation of emperors on coins are rare. However, it could also be called unusual that a man in his seventies becomes emperor. Perhaps his use of Virtus was a way of assuring the public that he was fit for the job. Galba. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.51 g, 6h). Spanish mint (Tarraco?). Struck circa April-late AD 68. Obv: GALBA IMP Laureate bust right, [globe at point of bust] Rev: VIRTVS, Virtus standing left, holding Victory in extended right hand, cradling parazonium with left arm. RIC I 31; RSC 333a. Fine, toned Ex: CNG 417, Lot 427 March 28, 2018 (sold for 360.00 plus fees) Ex: CNG 425, Lot: 403. July 25, 2018 Coin depicted on the Wildwinds database Here is yet another example of the use of Virtus on the reverse of a coin of Galba. Galba, AD 68-69. Denarius, Spain (Tarraco ?), 68. AR 3.25 g. Obv: GALBA - IMPERATOR Laureate head r., globe at point of bust. Rev. VIRTVS Virtus, wearing short tunica, standing l., holding parazonium with her l. hand, on her outstretched r. hand Victoria with palm branch and wreath. RIC 48a (R3) Supplementum Galbianum, Quaderni Ticinesi XII Numismatica E Antichita Classiche 1984. Cf. BMC 341, 194v.; BN III, 36, 34v.; C. 210; RIC 30var. (all with IMP on obv.). Very rare variant. Toned. Small chips on flan. Almost very fine Provenance: Auction UBS, Zurich 49 (2000), 365. Ex: “The Galba Collection” Hess Divo Auction 333, Lot 100 November 30, 2017 Hess Divo Auction 334 Lot 107 May 29, 2018 Coin depicted on the Wildwinds database After leaving Spain, Galba made his way to Gaul. Sutherland speculates that Narbo served as the mint for these Gaulish coins. “Galba's main series of Gallic gold and silver was very reasonably assigned by Mattingly to Narbo, where, as it has been noted above (p. 216), the new emperor met the official deputation from the Senate during July, and from whence he later set out for Rome” (Sutherland). While themes such as Virtus were continued on the coinage of Gaul other themes also emerged. Here is an example of one of these coins probably minted in Narbo. Galba. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.15 g, 6h). Uncertain mint in Gaul (Narbo?). Struck circa April-late autumn AD 68. Obv: Laureate head right IMPERATOR SER GALBA Rev: Concordia standing left, holding branch and cornucopia. CONCORDIA PROVINCIARUM RIC I 105; RSC 34. Fine, toned, porous. EX: AUKTIONEN MEISTER & SONNTAG, AUCTION 4, LOT 74 11/10/2006 Ex Meister & Sonntag Quick Auction 2007 (25 March 2007), lot 214 EX:.CNG E-auction Lot 353 September 5, 2018 The reverse legend CONCORDIA PROVINCIARUM or “provincial approval” was used to bind together the disparate provinces of the Roman empire shortly after a time of great strife. In other words, I believe Galba was trying to ensure that the empire would not fly apart after the upheaval of Nero’s rule. For this he needed the army. However, Galba seemed to go out of his way to make sure he was hated. “…but the most virulent hated of him smouldered in the army. Though a larger bonus than usual had been promised soldiers who had pledged their swords to Galba before his arrival in the city, he would not honor this commitment but announced ‘It is my custom to levy troops not to buy them’” (Suetonius). Needless to say, this attitude won him few friends in the army. Nevertheless, upon his arrival in Rome he still recognized the importance of the provinces. Consider the coin below. Notice the elegant portrait typical of the Roman mint issues. Note also how these contrast with the strange Spanish and Gaulish portraits. The reverse reads HISPANIA and may be both a wish to keep the empire united and a recognition of the place where he ruled before coming emperor and of the importance of that province in his rise to power. Galba AR denarius, VF, Rome mint, ( 3.512g, 19.0mm, 180o), Nov 68 - Jan 69 A.D.; elegant style, light toning on nice surfaces, high-points flatly struck, Obv: IMP SER GALBACAESAR AVG, laureate head right; Rev: 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; RIC I 193 (R2), BMCRE I 16, RSC II 83, BnF III 89, Hunter I 1 var. (no CAESAR, Aug - Oct 68), SRCV I (2000) 2103 var. (same) Ex: the Jyrki Muona Collection; Ex: Forum Ancient Coins Purchased from Forum Ancient Coins August 30, 2016 Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database. Best of type in the Forum Ancient Coins Galleries The last coin I will discuss is also a coin of Rome. However, it does have a very unusual portrait. The reverse again features VIRTVS which I believe represents the efforts of Galba to portray himself as strong and capable of holding the empire together. Notice that Virtus was used as a theme common to all major mints known for Galba. I believe this speaks to the centrality and importance of this concept to the rule of Galba. GALBA, A.D. 68-69. AR Denarius (3.38 gms), Rome Mint, ca. A.D. July 68-January 69.. Obv: "IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG PM" Laureate bust of Galba facing right; Rev:: Virtus standing facing, holding parazonium upwards and leaning on vertical spear. NGC Ch F, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. RIC-236 Provenance: From the Graywood Collection. Stack’s Bowers Galleries Auction August 8 2017 Lot 24114 Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database. Best of type in the Forum Ancient Coins Galleries As I hope one can see there is some interesting propaganda on the coins of Galba. I believe that several themes emerge from the coins that say something about the short reign of this emperor. The themes of unity, liberty and strength were I believe important and perhaps even necessary for Galba. It is no surprise that these themes appear on the coins. However short the reign was, it did have an influence on subsequent emperors such as Vespasian. "Gage(1952) in “Vespasien et la m®¶moire de Galba” discusses how Vespasian even revived Galba’s memory and posthumously honored the short-.‐lived princeps for his actions against Nero. A number of the legends minted on coins during Galba’s reign were also continued under Vespasian. As Ramage (1983:209) points out: “Almost half of the fifty or so mottoes and virtues that appear on Vespasian's coins are adopted or adapted from Galba. These personifications contribute to the emperor's larger purpose of promoting himself as the avenger of Galba, resurrecting his predecessor, and aligning himself with him as his constitutional successor and the legitimate continuer of the empire".(Ferguson) If you got this far, thanks for reading.
Wow, that was a very detailed post. It must have taken you quite a while to put it together! I don't have much to add to this informative article but I guess I can at least share my Galba which is very similar to the last one (maybe same engraver?)
Thanks @Suarez I love your coin. I think you may be right because that portrait is quite distinctive.
We could also add Clodius Macer for his historical relevance. Galba averted civil war by pretending to set up a truce but the ambassadors were really assassins in disguise. Woops! Unfortunately not a portrait coin but, hey, beggars can't be choosers right?
Thanks for posting that, I have long admired it on your site. When a coin is that rare you take what you can get.
Very enlightening article Andrew! It confirms my desire to someday taking a deep dive into Galba's coinage. Thanks for putting it together.
Thanks for the write up, nice collection you have there, Orfew. For saving his fellow Romans and comrades in battle:
Great set of Galba denarii and excellent writeup, Orfew. GALBA AR Denarius. 3.08g, 17.9mm. Uncertain mint in Gaul (Narbo?), circa April-late autumn AD 68. RIC 120 (R2); RSC 38. O: SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG P M TR P, laureate head right. R: CONCORDIA PROVINCIARVM, Concordia, draped, standing left holding cornucopiae and branch. Ex Gorny & Mosch 134 (11 October 2004), lot 2623
Nice detail and layout @Orfew ! Great coins, and a super collection. I have a couple Galbas I recently posted, so... I will post the guy that “passed the ball” to Galba! His buddy, Vindex! Standing on a ball... I think Vindex and Galba grew up playing soccer together... RI Civil War VINDEX 68-69 CE AR Denarius 3.22g Gallic mint SALVS GENERIS HVMANI Victory l globe (SOCCER Ball / futball ) - SPQR in wreath RIC 72 BMCRE 34-36 RSC 420 RARE o Ex: @Valentinian Comment: Vindex, in Gaul, revolted against Nero, but had no legions. He asked Galba, in Spain, to help and Vindex quickly raised a large army. However, the commander on the Rhine attacked and defeated Vindex, leaving Galba to contest for the empire. There are several rare types minted during this period that do not name anyone. This one has a big "SPQR" in a wreath and SALVS GENERIS HVMANI, Victory advancing left. RIC I Civil Wars 72 Struck between early March 68 (when he revolted) and May 68 (when he was killed) Rare and seldom offered. I THINK this one is even more difficult to find... RI Civil War Revolt of Vindex CE 68-69 AR Denarius ROMA RESTITVTA - IVPITER LIBERATOR Jupiter seated r Tbolt Scepter 17mm 3.02g RIC I 62 RSC 374-RARE
Very nice and interesting themes. I just picked up my first Galba at Savoca London auction just a day or so ago... I can't wait until it's delivered! It nearly completes my set (probably 90-95% there, but of what..? ).
Very good write up Andrew. 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
Nice one Jay. I need to trace down one of these Diva Avgvsta reverses. According to Suetonius, Galba and Livia had a special relationship. So much so that Livia put Galba in her will. The other interesting thing about the Galba Livia relationship is the propaganda value of having a reference to Livia on his coins. Galba would have wanted to strengthen the legitimacy of his rule by hearkening back to the foundations of the empire and emphasizing continuity after the disastrous rule of Nero . You cannot get much more foundational than referring to the wife of Augustus.
A wonderful coin Terence. The Galba collection was truly amazing. I would like to pick up more coins from that collection..
