Recently I did a trade with one of my favorite dealers for this Galba tetradrachm. I parted with my galba denarius, which was pretty low grade, and some ho hum ancients I had. I did come out ahead by a decent amount but im hoarding $ for now. Some may not like the scratches, but I loved the chunky silver and the portrait was way better then my denarius. I dont find them distracting. Also I updated my 12 caesars tray with this coin and much higher quality. 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
Same, part of me wants to build a 12 caesars in tetradrachms, but that would be very pricey & J. Caesar doesnt have tets.
Awesome lookin' Galba, my friend ... awesome addition (nice eye-appeal and cool eagle => congrats) .... sadly, I don't have a Galba (yet)
Exactly my sentiment. A mature collector of ancient coins can see past such things and appreciate the numismatic value of a coin. The strength and scarcity of that specimen far outweigh a few scratches, in my opinion.
I really like the reverse on your Galba Mat. Mine looks like it spent some time in the ground, especially the reverse. But you can still make out that distinctive Roman nose on the portrait. Galba; 68 AD AE As; Rome Mint; 27mm/10.2g Obv: IMP SER GALBA CAES AVG TR P Bare head of Galba right Rev: Vesta seated left holding palladium and scepter VESTA in exergue (SEAR 2138 RIC I 376) Your 12 Ceasars set is coming along nicely I see. I still need JC and Otho.
Exactly, I have always been that way with coins, even moderns. If I want the coin bad enough and the price is OK, it comes home. Thanks RB, my 12 caesars has been done for awhile but galba was one I wanted a bit better. Would love a nicer otho but I feel mine is OK and a nicer would break the bank and my current was luck. I love your bronze galba, especially the portrait.
Just about scratches, as the subject has come into the discussion. Would you have passed on those two coins just because of the scratches (bigger and deeper than Mat's coin by far) ? Octavian, Denarius Italian mint, possibly Rome, 31-30 BC Anepigraph, bare head of Octavian left CAESAR - DIVI F, Victory standing right on globe, holding wreath 3.84 gr Ref : HCRI # 408, RCV # 1552v, Cohen # 66, RIC # 255 The following comment is taken from CNG, sale 84 # 957 : "Following his victory at Actium, Octavian ordered a golden statue of Victory, standing on a globe and holding a wreath and palm, to be set up on an altar in the Curia in Rome. This statue had been captured by the Romans from Pyrrhus in 272 BC, and it assumed a somewhat tutelary mystique, protecting the Roman state from dissolution. In AD 382, the emperor Gratian ordered its removal. Two years later, the senator and orator Symmachus urged Valentinian II to replace it, a request that was met with stiff opposition from the bishop of Milan, Ambrose. Though it was briefly returned to its place by the usurper Eugenius, it was again removed following his defeat. Petitions to Theodosius I for its subsequent replacement were refused, on grounds that the once-important symbol of the gods’ blessing on the Roman Empire was now nothing more than a piece of paganism" Geta, Tetradrachm Tetradrachm minted in Laodicea, AD 208-209 KAICAP GETAC, Bare head of Geta right YTTA-TOC TO B, Eagle facing, head turned on the left, holding wreath in beak, star between legs 13,73 gr Ref : Prieur #1157_012 Q
