Galba's reign lasted seven months. The senate had declared Nero a public enemy in June 68, and Galba — then governor of Hispania Tarraconensis — was recognized as emperor before he ever set foot in Rome. His sestertii were struck at Rome after his arrival in autumn 68, issued by a man whose reputation for old-fashioned severity had already begun alienating the very praetorians whose loyalty he needed most. He was murdered in the Forum on January 15, 69, inaugurating the Year of the Four Emperors.
RIC I #448 places this among the later Rome mint issues of his reign, struck in the final weeks before Otho's coup.
Galba's reign lasted seven months. The senate had declared Nero a public enemy in June 68, and Galba — then governor of Hispania Tarraconensis — was recognized as emperor before he ever set foot in Rome. His sestertii were struck at Rome after his arrival in autumn 68, issued by a man whose reputation for old-fashioned severity had already begun alienating the very praetorians whose loyalty he needed most. He was murdered in the Forum on January 15, 69, inaugurating the Year of the Four Emperors.
RIC I #448 places this among the later Rome mint issues of his reign, struck in the final weeks before Otho's coup.