Three Civil War Denarii

CNG 109, Lot: 641. Estimate $2000. Sold for $4750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Civil War. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.48 g, 6h). Divus Augustus type. Tarraco mint. Group 1, AD 69. DIVVS AVGVSTVS, radiate head right, globe at point of neck / SENΛTVS P • Q • ROMΛNVS, Victory advancing left, holding round shield inscribed VI/ΛV in two lines. RIC I 116; CSB D-A.1-4; AM A26; RSC 254; BMCRE 59; BN 68. Good VF, toned, a little porous. Very rare, only one in CoinArchives (NAC 106, lot 908).

From the WRG Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXIV (6 May 1995), lot 284.

Part of an extensive issue of denarii struck by the various factions contending for power after the death of Nero, Galba struck pieces before he declared as Emperor. The rebel Vindex in Gaul issued others. Forces in Germany and Africa may have been responsible for smaller outputs. The “Augustus” types, harkening back to the glorious early days of the empire, originated in Spain and Gaul. Although the great number of types indicates a sizable issue, all types are rare. Presumably most were withdrawn at the conclusion of the conflict.