Object Description
Rome, Ca. AD 68-69
Galba Av. aureus, Rome. IMP SER GALBA AVG; bare head right. Rev. SPQR/OB/CS in three lines in oak-wreath. RIC 164; Cohen 286; Sear 2093.
This extremely rare aureus depicts Servius Sulpicius Galba, one of Rome’s many emperors during the years AD 68-69. Galba was a successful imperial administrator until his troops in Hispania
Tarraconensis declared him the first Emperor outside of the Julio-Claudian family, a decision then
ratified by the senate. The reverse inscription type on this coin is a frequent formula of the 1st
Century AD, it reads “[Awarded by] the senate and the Roman people for saving citizens.”
Galba’s pragmatic yet ruthless administration made him unpopular, and he was killed in a conspiracy ordered by Otho on January 15th, AD 69.
For additional information see:
John Melville Jones, J., 1990, Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins. London.
Size: D: 20mm ; 7.94g