Vindex and Galba

First visit. Was doing Wikipedia search on Vindex, having remembered his name from a brief mention in The Twelve Caesars in a reading years ago. I like the name, never forgot it and his history is strong. I'm a novice on the coins but a historian of sorts (BA) and even before reading the mostly enjoyable, informative replies (The "Emily Litella" play was perfecto!) I was nodding head in agreement: Those two coins are real beauties, especially the Vindex ("toning" is terrifico).

I do have one ancient Roman coin that my wife bought me, came in a plastic case with history. No emperor portrait (three graces?), probably a common penny-like piece (300 AD?) but I love it dearly: The giver and humanity it represents.

 

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I have a gently used Galba... But it is gorgeous in my Albums... Rounds out my 12 Caesars

(Except I have nary a Vindex!)

And, WOW, @AncientJoe - wonderful coins, and an amazing Vindex capture! I cannot believe there are many of those lying around! Well done!


Roman Imperial
Galba. A.D. 68-69.
AE Dupondius (11.11 g).
Rome mint, struck A.D. 68.
Obv: SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG TR P, bare head right
Rev: S P Q R/ OB/ CIV SER, legend within oak wreath.
RIC 290
Comment: Freed from a Slab

 

Welcome to CoinTalk @StevenKeys! We'd enjoy seeing that coin your wife bought you...and our discussions might entice you to buy a few ancients.

 

Since my name was used, I'll point out that I do not have a Galba denarius but am very much in the market for one but I have a particular style in mind and this is not it. This Rome mint coin has fine Rome mint style but I want a non-Roman coin with really ugly face and very un-Roman style. Those shopping for my Christmas presents may look for something like the ones below:
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=99752
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=37928
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=40625
I passed up one exactly what I wanted a couple years ago because it was $700 (and a fair price) but the supply of non-EF, good metal, wild style coins is not huge. Someday.

I have two bronzes. The sestertius must have been a pocket piece but I like the style. The as is ordinary but mine.

 

Just picked this up...

 

Will this do you for 'ugly'?
Spanish Mint.
(not for sale - possibly unique coin...)

 

GALBA:

RI GALBA AR Quinarius Lugdunum mint laureate r Victory globe stdng left 15mm 1.5g SCARCE

VINDEX:

RI Civil War VINDEX 68-69 CE AR Denarius 3.22g Gallic mint SALVS GENERIS HVMANI Victory l globe - SPQR in wreath RIC 72 BMCRE 34-36 RSC 420 RARE


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

 

Hope for a Vindex someday...still filling in my 12 Caesars.

 

An ugly coin of Galba...yep I can do that.

 

This coin's portrait is strikingly similar to that on an aureus that sold for a stunning price at Goldberg's Millennia auction in 2008:



I was at that auction, and I'll never forget overhearing two dealers walking to the men's room, incredulously commenting "$390,000 for a Galba?"