Galba, 68 – 69.   Aureus, Spanish mint (Tarraco ?) circa April to December 68, AV 7.11 g. GALBA – IMP Laureate head r., with globe at point of neck. Rev. LIBERTAS – RESTITVTA Libertas standing l., holding sceptre and pileus. C –, cf. 134 (IMPERATOR). BMC –. RIC –, cf. 37 (IMPERATOR). CBN –. Calicó –, cf. 487 (IMPERATOR).
An apparently unrecorded variety of an exceedingly rare type. A very
interesting and unusual portrait struck in high relief, minor marks
on reverse, otherwise aboout extremely fine

The reverse of this extremely rare aureus variant of Galba celebrates the ”Restoration of Freedom” in contrast with the curtailment of freedom (from a senatorial perspective) that had taken place under Nero. When Nero committed suicide on 9 June AD 68, Galba, the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis proclaimed himself the new Emperor and marched on Rome in October, thereby becoming the first of the four emperors who would rule in AD 69. Unfortunately, Galba lacked wide popularity with the army and displeased the German legions to such an extent that they refused to swear the oath of loyalty and chose Aulus Vitellius as a rival emperor. Galba immediately panicked when the news of Germania reached Rome and adopted Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus, a young and ambitious senator, to be his heir. It was hoped that this adoption might strengthen his position with the Senate as a counterbalance to the disgruntled elements in the army. This was a miscalculation because it offended many other ambitious and wealthy men in Rome, including M. Salvius Otho. Using his wealth to bribe the Praetorian Guard, Otho staged a coup d’etat during which the hapless Galba took to the streets in the hope of defeating Otho on a tide of popular support. This never materialized and both Galba and Piso were ignominiously killed, leaving Otho to rule as the second of the four emperors of AD 69. Galba may have restored freedom for the brief period in which he ruled, but he had done nothing to restore peace or security. Thus, he actually managed to shackle the Roman world to a bloody year of civil war and four emperors in rapid succession.