ROMAN. Galba. A.D. 68-69. Silver Denarius (3.17g). Rome mint. Struck July A.D. 68 to January A.D. 69. IMP SER GALBA AVG, bare head right / S P Q R OB C S in three lines within oak wreath. RIC I 167; CBN 76; Cohen 287; cf. BMCRE p. 314, note. VF, lustrous and attractive, with an excellent portrait. Galba came to power in June A.D. 68 as the Senate's choice after Nero's collapse, a veteran governor known for strict discipline rather than charm. Rome expected rewards and reassurance, but he refused the donative, dealt harshly with opponents, and quickly lost support, especially among the Rhine legions. When those armies backed Vitellius on 1 January A.D. 69, Galba tried to secure the future by adopting Piso, a move that pushed his former ally Otho into open conspiracy. Five days later the Praetorians turned, and Galba and Piso were cut down in the Forum, one of the decisive murders of the Year of the Four Emperors. Acquired from Dr. Busso Peus Nachf., early 2019. (P)

Estimate: AUD 750