Civil War (AD 68-69). AR denarius (18mm, 3.33 gm, 7h). NGC AU 4/5 - 3/5, Fine Style. Uncertain mint in Southern Gaul, ca. AD 69. I O M-CAPITOLINVS, diademed, heroic bust of Jupiter Capitolinus left, slight mantle showing on near shoulder, small branch before / VESTA-P-R QVIRITIVM, Vesta seated left, patera in right hand, lit torch cradled in left. RIC I 125a. RSC 432. Exceptional portrait, highlighted by exquisite cabinet toning. The civil wars at the end of Nero’s reign began with the revolt of the governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, Gaius Julius Vindex, ca. March AD 68, followed quickly by Lucius Clodius Macer, legate in Roman North Africa. Vindex appealed to Servius Sulpicius Galba, then governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, to lead the revolt. Galba accepted and was elevated to emperor by the Spanish legions at Carthago Nova in April. Although produced in large numbers by regional mints to pay the military forces in play during this tumultuous period, the anonymous Civil War denarii types are relatively rare today in comparison to coinage minted during AD 69 in the names of Galba (8 June AD 68-15 January AD 69), Otho (15 January-16 April), Vitellius (16 April-22 December) and Vespasian (22 December 69-24 June 79). This interesting Civil War type was struck after the elevation of Galba, likely by pro-Vitellian forces who refused to accept Galba as emperor, perhaps by his commander Fabius Valens, in southern Gaul shortly before the First Battle of Bedriacum on 14 April AD 69. The bust of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus symbolizes the invincible might of Rome, accompanied by Vesta, promoting the idea of the Empire's permanence.

HID09801242017

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