Galba, 68 – 69
Sestertius, October 68, Æ 23.89 g. SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG TR P Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. S P Q R / OB / CIV SER within oak-wreath. C 294. BMC 114. Kraay, NNM 133, 186. RIC 405. CBN 210 M.M. Bendenoun, Coins of the Ancient World, A Portrait of the JDL Collection, Tradart, Genève, 2009, 53 (this coin). Very rare. An interesting and unusual portrait and a wonderful light green patina. Minor porosity, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Maison Platt March 1982, 229 and NAC 74, 2013, 304 sales. From the Dr. R. P. Nicolas collection. Galba assumed power at a critical moment in Roman history, following the overthrow of Nero. Not only did it mark the first time the empire was ruled by a non-Julio-Claudian, but it proved that emperors could be made outside of the capital, where the praetorian guards had been so influential in imperial politics. By the time Galba raised his revolt against Nero, he had already enjoyed a stellar career. The portrait on this sestertius seems to capture the uncompromising, stingy personality of Galba, whose fatal error as emperor was attempting to restore the dignity of the Roman spirit, which had sunk to new depths during the reign of Nero. The 'civic crown' (corona civica) on the reverse of this coin traditionally was presented to Romans who in battle had saved the life of another citizen. However, it could also be awarded for saving a life under other circumstances, or for saving the state. It had been awarded to Augustus in 27 B.C. and by the reign of Claudius its bestowal probably was a fixed part of the accession honours.