RIC I (second edition) Galba 262
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC I (second edition) Galba 262. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Galba. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Galba, laureate and draped, right, with the legend IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P. The reverse shows legend in three lines oak-wreath, with the legend S P Q R O B CIV SER.
Related types with the same reverse, struck at other mints or with different marks or bust details, are consolidated here and listed under varieties: RIC I (second edition) Galba 271.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 6
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Servius Sulpicius Galba served as Roman emperor for seven months, ruling from 8 June AD 68 until his death on 15 January AD 69. He became the first emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors after assuming the throne following the suicide of Emperor Nero. Galba had previously held multiple public offices, including provincial governorships, before gaining the imperial throne with the backing of the Praetorian Guard.
Struck at the Rome mint, this bronze sestertius represents a denomination that functioned as a coin of the Roman Empire and was useful in commerce, holding a nominal value of one quarter of a denarius. The obverse presents Galba alongside the legend IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P, while the reverse displays an oak wreath enclosing the three-line legend S P Q R O B CIV SER.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Bronze
- Denomination
- Sestertius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Galba
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Galba, laureate and draped, right
- Reverse
- Legend in three lines oak-wreath
- Obverse legend
- IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P
- Reverse legend
- S P Q R O B CIV SER
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC I (second edition) Galba 262
- Denomination and metal
- Sestertius, Bronze
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP SER GALBA AVG TR P
- Reverse legend to match
- S P Q R O B CIV SER
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- RIC / OCREric.1(2).gal.262
Varieties
RIC I (second edition) Galba 259
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC I (second edition) Galba 260
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC I (second edition) Galba 261
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC I (second edition) Galba 263
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC I (second edition) Galba 271
Same ruler, denomination, reverse type and reverse legend; differs in mint, mint mark, officina or bust detail. Consolidated into this entry.
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.