Galba, AR Denarius, Spanish mint, struck c. April to December 68 AD, BMC 217, Cohen 34

Roman Empire: Galba (8 June, 68 AD-15 Jan 69 AD), AR Denarius, Spanish mint, struck c. April to December 68 AD, BMC 217, Cohen 34, RIC 49 (3.07 g, 19 mm)

Galba was in Spain when the senate declared him emperor on 8 June, 68. A man of 70 at the time of his appointment, he arrived in Rome with a strong reputation for severity and avarice. One of his first actions was to order that of all gifts of money and property made by Nero, 90% should be returned. He also refused to pay bounties to the army, telling them that it was his habit to levy troops, not buy them. The latter action angered the soldiers, and was to soon cost him dearly.

In January 69, the German armies threw down Galba's images and declared for Aulus Vitellius. Galba tried to put things to order by adopting Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licianus, a young man from a distinguished family, as his heir. However, this angered Otho, who was one of the first to declare his support for Galba and himself harbored hopes of succession.

On the morning of 15 January, when Galba was on the way to sacrifice at the temple of Apollo on the Palatine hill, Otho quietly slipped away from the imperial entourage. He made his way to the Praetorian camp, where he was declared emperor.

Confused reports began to reach Galba, who had himself carried in a litter to the Forum. On the way, Otho's horsemen attacked, tipping him from the litter. He was stabbed in the neck. According to Plutarch, his dying words were "Do your work, if it is better for the Roman people." Piso was killed soon after. Their heads were cut off and paraded in the city on poles. Galba's was eventually rescued by his steward Argivus, who buried it, along with his body, in the imperial garden on the Via Aurelia.

Obverse: SER GALBA IMPERATOR. Laureate head of Galba to right.

Reverse: CONCORDIA PROVINCIARVM. Concordia standing left, holding olive branch in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left.

 

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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

 

Nice coin @Amit Vyas . Nicer than mine of the same type!

Galba strikes me as something of a tragic figure. He was a man of the Republic who had the misfortune to live in the Neronian Empire. The times changed faster than Galba did.

 

- Silver Coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of GALBA between 68 - 69 A.D. Obv. SER.GALBA.CAESAR.AVG. Bare hd. cuir. bust r. Rev. DIVA.AVGVSTA.: Livia, dr., stg. l., holding patera, l. vertical sceptre. RCS #719. RSCII #47 pg.19. RICI #143 pg.240. DVM #7 pg.92

 

Awesome coin!!


AE23, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: [IMP SER GALBA] CAE AVG, laureate head right.
Reverse: Large SC within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened at top with pellet, between inner circle and outer dotted border.

 

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

 

Here are some of mine

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.

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 Filled. Fourree


I like the nose on this one.
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.