A nice Galba denarius with a great portrait in my opinion. Looks like a nice EF, less the small scratch on the lower neck portion of the portrait. I have this as Galba. AR. Denarius Rome, c.68-69 AD. IMP SER GALBA AVG Bare head of Galba facing right. Reverse. S P Q R / OB / C S tied wreath. RSC 288 (?) Thoughts/corrections welcomed. Post yours !
According to my Sear V1, it's Sear 2109, RIC 167, Cf. BMCRE 34 (obv. misdescribed), CBN 76, RSC 287, Rome, Aug-Oct 68.
I'm no expert, but I don't see anything about it that looks inauthentic. I've posted it before, but here's my Galba denarius -- the same type as the one you've posted: 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. If I were you, I wouldn't spend a lot of time trying to analyze whether or not a coin qualifies as EF. The much more important question is whether you like it. I couldn't care less what grade someone thought my example warranted. It's not like I ever plan to have it put in a slab. I like it very much -- both the expressive portrait and the fact that his name is entirely readable -- and think it was worth what I paid for it.
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
Your coin looks very good to me from the photo. Nice austere portrait of the quintessential grumpy old man. My Sestertius with Libertas reverse. and Galba denarius with DIVA AVGVSTA reverse ( I believe the Augusta referred to is actually Livia with whom Galba had been friendly).
agreed , i focus on the grade solely to train my eye with these coins. I value the style of the portrait more than technical condition grade
What a handsome denarius, if one can use the "handsome" adjective to describe Galba. I think you can. True, he was rather grouchy looking in most portraits. But those portraits definitely had character. I kind of like his stern visage. It looks very... imperial. I have never owned a denarius of Galba. Only two bronzes. My formerly-owned LIBERTAS PVBLICA sestertius is a poor relation to @octavius' absolutely stunning example above, but I'll bet his didn't cost a mere 295 bucks, either. I reckon there's nothing terribly exciting about this As. He looks pouty and woebegone here.
