Ancient Rome Galba 68-69AD Silver Denarius good Very Fine

A genuine artefact of the earliest days of the Roman Empire, and a superb example of Ancient coinage, we are proud to present a rare, high-grade, sharply detailed silver denarius from the brief reign of Emperor Galba (68-69AD).

Acclaimed emperor on the overthrow of Nero, Galba was the first of four to rule in 69AD – the Year of the Four Emperors. Also the seventh of Suetonius’ famous Twelve Caesars, Galba reigned for a mere seven months before he was slaughtered in the street by the disgruntled Praetorian Guard – ostensibly the personal bodyguard of the Roman emperor. The soldiers’ murderous rampage was triggered by the machinations of Otho, who had been overlooked as Galba’s heir, and it was Otho who took power following Galba’s untimely demise.

The brevity of his reign has ensured all Galba coinage is scarce to rare – particularly spectacularly detailed examples such as this stunning silver denarius! A magnificent portrait type, the coin also offers a fascinating insight into an extremely tumultuous period of Roman politics. Illustrating Galba’s claim to legitimacy as emperor, the reverse boldly states that the emperor is the saviour of the nation and its citizens.

In premium grade good Very Fine condition, we have just the single example of this important, short-lived type available. Immediate action is a must – click add to cart now!

Emperor Galba – a brief history…

Galba played a key role in the first serious crisis confronting the fledgling Roman Empire, when he became the first Roman ruler in the ‘Year of the Four Emperors’.

Servius Sulpicius Galba was born on December 24, 3BC, in a country villa near Terracina, south of Rome. Born to an aristocratic Roman family, Galba entered the world of Roman politics – a customary career course for a young noble. In the early part of his career, his star shone brightly.

Winning favour with the Emperors Augustus and Tiberius, Galba also gained the approval of the notorious Caligula for his command of the army in Upper Germany. Holding various important posts, and considered to be a brilliant administrator, he then became a favourite of the Emperor Claudius. In 49AD, Claudius married the mother of Nero, Agrippina, who was an enemy of Galba. As a result, Galba was forced into virtual retirement.

Avoiding the limelight of Roman politics for ten years, Galba’s career sprang back to life when Agrippina died in 59AD. Despite being in his 60s, Galba was appointed Governor of Hispania Tarraconensis during the reign of Nero, and he ruled with efficiency, loyalty and discipline for eight years. That loyalty was to be severely tested, however, with Nero reputedly seeking to eradicate all those of noble birth as his hold on power began to slip from his fingers.

By 67AD, relations between Nero and the Senate were at an all-time low, and the provinces were in a state of near rebellion due to increasingly oppressive taxes. Although suppressed by Nero’s forces, the uprising of the Governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, Julius Vindex, lit the touchpaper of revolt. Galba waited for exactly the right moment and declared himself a ‘vir mirallis’ – a military representative of the Senate and the people of Rome. He refused the title ‘Emperor’ at this stage, but his stance attracted support from a range of provincial governors. He still needed support in the capital itself, and that support was forthcoming from the Praetorian Prefect, Gaius Nymphidius Sabinus.

A man who had his own eye on ruling the Empire, Sabinus promised the Praetorians that Galba would reward them handsomely if they withdrew support from Nero, which they duly did. Deposed by the Senate, betrayed by the military and abandoned by his supporters, Nero committed suicide in June 68AD. Sabinus then encouraged Galba to march on Rome, whilst at the same time launching his own bid for power. This backfired spectacularly when the Praetorian Guard he commanded ignored his appeals for support and murdered him, leaving the way clear for Galba to enter the now chaotic city of Rome.

Galba did not arrive at the capital until October 68AD, but a reputation for greed and severity preceded him. The new Emperor’s chances of a long reign were further undermined by a series of tactical blunders, and reliance upon several utterly corrupt officials. The military was fundamentally important to the rule of any Roman emperor, and Galba made several fatal mistakes regarding the army. He did not reward the Praetorian Guard for their support, nor pay the customary bounty to the soldiers in Upper Germany who had cleared the way for his tilt at power. Then, upon the announcement of his adopted heir, Galba failed once again to provide the traditional payment to the soldiers. His famous comment “I levy soldiers, I do not bribe them” may have been morally sound, but it was politically unwise.

Ultimately, Galba’s most fatal mistake – quite literally – was to ignore one of his key supporters, Otho, when selecting his aforementioned heir. Otho fervently believed that he should succeed the aged Galba, and when the Emperor chose L. Calpurnius Piso, Otho acted swiftly. Promising the Praetorians the reward that had not been forthcoming from Galba, the soldiers proclaimed Otho the new emperor.

Galba boldly strode forth to confront the rebels, but was immediately set upon. His adopted heir Piso was dragged into the street and similarly slaughtered soon after. Galba’s last words were allegedly “Strike, if it be for the good of the Romans!” This noble sentiment bought no favours from his assassins, however, as his head was cut off, presented to the new emperor, Otho, and subsequently paraded around Rome on a pole.

Galba had few defenders. A single centurion from the Praetorian Guard had attempted to save the emperor, armed only with a sword, but he was quickly cut down. In a scene more reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch than reality, a company of German soldiers rushed to help Galba, but took a wrong turn, and arrived too late. Triumph can be ephemeral, however. Otho, Galba’s successor, would rule for just a few months, and every one of the 100+ people who claimed to have killed Galba was executed by Vitellius when he came to power.

As Galba was clever, experienced and highly successful in the treacherous world of Roman politics, his mishandling of the military seems remarkably amateurish. Refusing to pay what were well-established levies to the army at a time of massive upheaval was a serious blunder, and Galba paid for the mistake with his life.

Galba may have only ruled for a matter of months, but, as one of the famous Twelve Caesars, and the first to rule in 69AD, the Year of the Four Emperors, his name is forever enshrined in the pantheon of Ancient history.