Galba (8th June - 15th January AD 69)

He was born near Terracina and came of a noble family. A man of great wealth, but unconnected either by birth or adoption with the first six Caesars. In his early years he was regarded as a youth of remarkable abilities, and it is said that both Augustus and Tiberius prophesied his future eminence (Tacitus, Annals, vi. 20; Suet. Galba, 4). Praetor in AD 20, and consul in AD 33, he acquired a well-merited reputation in the provinces of Gaul, Germania, Africa and Spain by his military capability, strictness and impartiality. On the death of Caligula, he refused the invitation of his friends to make a bid for empire, and loyally served Claudius. For the first half of Nero's reign he lived in retirement, till, in AD 61, the Emperor bestowed on him the province of Hispania Tarraconensis.

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Galba 012155

Rare Galba 'Rare Emperor: Legend Within Wreath' Denarius
Silver, 3.06 grams, 18.36 mm. Rome. AD 68-69. Obverse: IMP SER GALBA AVG; bare-headed bust right. Reverse: SPQR OB CS; legend in three lines within oak wreath. RIC I, 167; RSC 287; Sear 2109; BMC 34. Good fine.

Galba (Servius Sulpicius Galba Caesar Augustus) the first emperor in the "Year of the Four Emperors" became Roman Emperor at the age of 65 on June 8th, AD 68 and ruled for just six months before his death by sword on January 15th, AD 69. This relatively short reign makes his coinage rare.

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Galba 012155
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Main Roman Coin Book and Other References:

RIC = Mattingly, Harold    The Roman Imperial Coinage
BMC = Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum
RSC = Seaby, H A    Roman Silver Coinage
RCV = Sear, David R    Roman Coins and Their Values
Cr = Crawford, Michael    The Roman Republican Coinage
SB = Sear, David R    Byzantine Coins and Their Values
S = Coins of England and the United Kingdom
WW = Wildwinds.com (reference & attribution site)



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