Obolos 18

Galba, 68-69. Aureus (Gold, 17.5 mm, 6.48 g, 6 h), Tarraco. IMP SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG P M TR P Bare head of Galba to right, globe at point of bust. Rev. S P Q R / OB / C S in three lines within oak wreath. BMC 191 BN 32. Calicó 510. RIC 62. Very rare. Nice Spanish style. Very fine.

From the Trausnitz Collection, ex Brandt & Sonntag FPL 6, Spring 1989, 227.

Servius Sulpicius Galba came from a high-ranking family of considerable wealth; he was well regarded by Augustus and Tiberius and was favored by Livia. He was consul in 33 and held military commands in Gaul, Germany, Africa and Spain; under Nero he came out of retirement to govern Hispania Tarraconensis. In 68 he rose against Nero and was ultimately successful, becoming emperor in June. While he seemed to have all the old-fashioned Roman virtues, he soon became widely unpopular because of the harsh measures he took to restore the state and the influence his equally unpopular favorites had over his policies. As a result the legions in Germany revolted under Vitellius and, at approximately the same time, M. Salvius Otho was chosen emperor by the Praetorians; Galba was murdered by soldiers on 15 January 69. The most damning description of him was given by Tacitus: “omnium consensu capax imperii nisi imperasset” “everyone thought him capable of ruling the empire until he did”.