Civil War. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.35 g, 4h). Augustus, with Divus Julius type. Uncertain mint in Spain or Gaul. Struck 3 April-late June AD 68. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 124
Lot: 616. Estimated: $ 4 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 7 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Civil War. AD 68-69. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.35 g, 4h). Augustus, with Divus Julius type. Uncertain mint in Spain or Gaul. Struck 3 April-late June AD 68. Laureate head of Augustus right / DIVVS IVLIVS across field, Sidus Iulium: eight-rayed comet with tail upwards. RIC I 92; AM A10; RSC 98 (Augustus); Mairat 146.1 (this coin); BMCRE 49 = Nicolas, Néron A8. Lightly toned; a few minor marks, obverse slightly off-center. Good VF. Extremely rare.

Ex Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow Collection, privately acquired from Yves Gunzenreiner in March 2014.

The civil wars at the end of Nero’s reign began with the revolt of the governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, Gaius Julius Vindex, probably around the beginning of March of AD 68. Vindex offered the leadership of the revolt to Servius Sulpicius Galba, then governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, who was hailed imperator by the Spanish legions at Carthago Nova in April of the same year. The title was cautiously refused, but Galba did declare himself the legatus of the senate and people of Rome. Just a month later, Galba’s confidence would be shaken by the crushing defeat of Vindex near Besançon by the general Lucius Verginius Rufus, governor of Germania Superior. But in another twist of fate, by 9 June, Nero was dead, having taken his own life. Galba began his march to Rome, and his brief reign was underway.

Coinage, of course, was needed during these precarious months of revolt and without an emperor to strike in the name of (save for that in honor of the “model emperor” of Roman history, Augustus) the coinage was struck with messages suiting the political climate. The issues struck under Vindex possess a more aggressive air that underscores the militant nature of his revolt, while Galba’s tend to be more constitutional and optimistic in tone.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 124 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 September 2023. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 20 September at 9 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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