Another restoration coin struck by Titus, this time featuring the emperor Galba. Somewhat worn, but the stern portrait attracted me. Galba, Restored by Titus Æ Sestertius, 23.83g Rome mint, 80-81 AD Obv: IMP SER SVLP GALBA CAES AVG TR P; Head of Galba, laureate, r. Rev: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; REST above S C in centre RIC 421 (C). BMC 305. BNC 319. Acquired from Savoca Coins, May 2022. Titus struck an extensive restoration series of bronze coins of Flavian approved past emperors and imperial family members which reproduced the original coins in their entirety. While this veneration of past coinages was not a new idea (Vespasian copied past types on many reverses for the precious metal issues) it was quite an innovation to copy both the obverse and reverse of these past coinages. To do so likely had a dual purpose - one, to recoin types that were being recalled or falling out of circulation and to keep their memory alive, and secondly to link the Flavian house with those past revered personages. The meaning is quite clear on the reverse with Titus declaring he has restored (REST) this coin. H. Mattingly in BMCRE II described the series as a 'roll of honour of the early Empire, preserving all memories that deserved to be remembered.' Prior to the early Second century works by Suetonius and Tacitus with their less than glowing praise of the aged Galba, he was seemingly regarded as an emperor worthy of veneration. This was the lone sestertius type struck for him under Titus. Got Galba? I would love to see it! Thanks for looking!
Galba, 68-69 As Tarraco (?) September to December 68, Æ 27mm., 11.17g. Laureate head r., with globe at point of the bust. Rev. Libertas standing l., holding pileus in r. hand and rod in l. C #. RIC 73. Acquired Naville Auctions December 2019 Galba, 68-69 Dupondius circa 69, Æ 29mm., 11.04g. Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. Pax standing l., holding branch and caduceus. C 149. RIC 284. Acquired September 2019 Naville Auctions. GALBA (68-69), AR denier, 68-69, Rome. D / IMP SER GALBA AVG T. naked to r. R / SPQR / OB / CS in an oak wreath. BMC 314, 34; RIC 167. 2.73g Fourree. Acquired Jean Elsen Auctions June 2019.
Another "saving citizens" example [Senatus Populusque Romanus Ob Cives Servatos – (Awarded by) the senate and the Roman people for saving citizens.]: Galba. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.29 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa July AD 68 - January AD 69. IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head right / S P Q R/ O • B/ C S in three lines within oak wreath.
Cool coin @David Atherton. I did not know Titus struck sestertii honoring Galba. As requested, I have two Galba's. No bronzes.
...yeah!...i'm of the school that didn't know about this type...i think it kool, but i bet Dad wouldn't have approved ><
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 GALBA AE Dupondius OBVERSE: SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG TR P legend with laureate bust right REVERSE: PAX AVGVST legend with Pax standing left holding olive-branch and caduceus; S - C in fields Struck at Rome, July-August 68 AD 13.2g, 27mm RIC 284; BMC 127; Sear 2129
Great addition, David. 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 163 Galba (68 - 69 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm O: ΛOYK ΛIB ΣOYΛΠ ΓAΛBA KAIΣ ΣEB AV, laureate head right, LA (date) before, LA = 68 A.D. R: ΡΩ-MH, helmeted, draped bust of Roma right, holding spear and shield. 23mm 13.6g Milne 317, RPC 5330; Köln 223; Dattari (Savio) 314; K&G 17.6.
Nice new pickup. Very interesting to see a restitution issue of Galba, considering how short his reign was and that he wasn’t exactly the most popular emperor. Here’s my only coin of his…always loved this portrait of old man Galba. Galba, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch., AR Tetradrachm (27 mm, 14.30 g), ΑΥΤΟ]ΚΡΑΤⲰΡ ΓΑΛΒΑC ΚΑΙCΑΡ CЄΒ[ΑCΤΟC] Bare head of Galba to right./ Rev. [ΕΤΟΥC Β] Eagle with spread wings standing left on wreath, holding wreath in beak; palm frond to left. McAlee 308. RPC I 4198.
My one Galba Imperial coin. I'm quite fond of the portrait. Galba AR Denarius, Aug-Oct 68 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Bare head right, IMP SER GALBA AVG / Rev. S P Q R/ O • B/ C S [OB CS = OB CIVES SERVATOS (For Saving the Citizens)] in three lines within oak wreath. RIC I 167, RSC II 287, Sear RCV I 2109 (ill.). 18.33 mm., 3.29 g. Plus one Provincial Galba, on which he looks more like Nerva. Galba Billon Tetradrachm, Year 1 (AD 68), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, ΛΟΥΚ ΛΙΒ ΣΟΥΛΠ ΓΑΛΒΑ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΑΥΤ (beginning at 7:00); LA (Year 1) in lower right field / Rev. Bust of Roma right, wearing crested helmet and cuirass, with spear held obliquely in front of chest and shield held behind left shoulder; ΡΩ-ΜΗ [ROMA] (beginning at 9:00). 25 mm., 13.43 g., 1 h. Emmett 174.1, RPC [Roman Provincial Coinage] Vol. I 5330 (1992); RPC I Online at https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/1/5330; Milne 319 at p. 9 (Legend A3, ending in “AYT”); K & G 17.6; BMC 16 Alexandria 197 (at p. 24); SNG France 4, Alexandrie I 631-632. Purchased at CNG [Classical Numismatic Group, LLC] E-Auction 512, 23 March 2022, Lot 433.
David has a very interesting coin. I had no idea that there were restoration types of Galba. 35091. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I 245, BMCRE I 94, F, grainy, Rome mint, 20.650g, 35.1mm, 180o, c. 9 Jun - Aug 68 A.D.; obverse IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P, Laureate and draped bust right; reverse ROMA in exergue, Roma seated left on cuirass, vertical spear in right, left arm rests on shield set on helmet, S - C across fields; I only have a decrepit Sestertius. I could have sworn I have a slightly more attractive glossy green one, but no images come up. This one was a Forum one. The green one would have been a Marc B or STeve McBride one. It probably was one which didn't make it to the page, hence no records. If my photography project ever makes it off the ground I'll come across the other one.
Sestertius of Galba 68 AD Obv. Head right laureate Rv. Concordia seated left RIC 339 25.40 grms 32 mm Photo by W. Hansen This has to be my favorite image of Galba not because of the portrait. Whoever cut this die captured with great fidelity how the skin of Galba's face is drawn so very tightly over his skull. That is genius. However after achieving the perfect image of a hard bitten Roman military man he gives him "kissy lips". Galba looks like he is ready to kiss somebody.
A reverse somewhat like Dafydd's. I like Galba's profile image. The flaked corrosion spots make him look like someone you don't want to mess with. Galba 68-69 AD. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 25.04 g, 6h). Rome mint, 5th officina. Struck circa August-October AD 68. Laureate and draped bust right / Libertas standing left, holding pileus and vindicta. RIC I 310.
Galba. 68-69 AD. AR Denarius (19mm; 2.84 gm; 6h). Rome mint. Struck August-October 68 AD. Obv: IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head right. Rev: SPQR/OB/CS in three lines within oak-wreath. RIC I 167; RSC 287. Ex. Akropolis Coins
Roman Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Galba, AD 68-69. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 14.22g, 12h). Antioch mint. Dated RY 2 (AD 68/69). Obv: AYTOKPATωP ΓAΛBA C KAICAP CЄBACTOC; Bare head right. Rev: ЄTOYC B; Eagle standing left, wreath in beak, on two laurel branches; palm to left. Ref: RPC 4198; McAlee 308; Prieur 100. Good Fine, nicely toned.
Some excellent examples for this difficult emperor. I like very much that restoration issue David Galba, As - Lugdunum mint, AD 68 SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG PON M TR P PP, Laureate head of Galba right Rome seated left, SC in field 10,60 gr Ref : Cohen #182, RIC -, see BM #248 (same obverse die), Gorny&Mosch auction 76, 22.04.1996, n° 405 and Müller auction 15, 19-20.09.1975, n° 152. (same dies) Q
EGYPT, Alexandria. Galba. (AD 68-69). BI Tetradrachm Dated RY 1 (AD 68). O: Laureate head of Galba right. R: Veiled and draped bust of Eirene right, caduceus over shoulder. RPC I 5328
