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Galba. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.71 g, 6h). Spanish mint (Tarraco?). Struck circa April-late AD 68. SER • GALBA • IMP • CAESAR • AVG • P • M • TR • P, laureate head right, globe at point of neck / VIRTVS, Virtus, bareheaded, wearing short tunic, standing left, holding Victory in extended right hand and parazonium in left. RIC I 64; CSB 74; RSC 339; BMCRE p. 342 note; BN 33. Lustrous, faint hairlines. EF. High relief. Rare.
From the PLZ Collection, purchased from Antiqua. Ex Triton X (9 January 2007), lot 588.
At the age of 70, Galba found himself hailed by the senate as emperor, the first from outside the Julio-Claudian family. Once installed, he embarked on an austerity program to restore the state’s finances. The Praetorian Guard had been promised an enormous bonus by one of Galba’s supporters, but he refused to pay up, remarking “I choose my soldiers, I do not buy them.” He also demanded back many of the lavish gifts Nero had distributed to officials. Although meaning well, Galba proved oblivious to the realities of his situation and soon managed to offend nearly every segment of Roman society. The disaffection quickly spread to the provinces, and on January 1, AD 69, the Rhine legions rebelled, hailing their commander, Aulus Vitellius, as emperor. Galba attempted to salvage the situation by adopting a likable young aristocrat, L. Calpurnius Piso, as his designated successor, but this only alienated another key supporter, M. Salvius Otho, who had hoped to be chosen Caesar himself.
Otho bribed Praetorian officers, and on January 15, AD 69, they attacked Galba and Piso in the Forum, hacking them to pieces. His entire reign had lasted seven months and proved only the opening act in the disastrous “Year of the Four Emperors.”
The coin offered here, with the “VIRTVS” reverse minted at Tarraco, is quite rare. There is little doubt that Galba considered himself to be virtuous, as is told in the above story so the selection of this type by him makes perfect sense. This coin was first struck before he was declared emperor by the senate and his claim of his personal “virtue” is likely a plea to them to accept his rule. The coin is in superb condition and quite possibly the finest known for the type.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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