GALBA (68-69)

Servius Galba Caesar Augustus

"Divine Livia" Livia was the wife of Augustus, the mother of Tiberius, the grandmother of Claudius, the great-grandmother of Caligula, and the great-great-grandmother of Nero. Livia and Augustus remained married for 51 years, though they had no children together. She wielded considerable influence over her husband’s policies, an unusual role for a Roman wife. Living modestly, she exemplified Roman virtues.

Suetonius writes: "Galba held Livia Augusta in particular reverence, as her favor granted him high esteem. Upon her death, her will could have made him wealthy. He was named the largest beneficiary among the legatees, inheriting fifty million sesterces. However, since the sum was listed numerically rather than written out, her heir Tiberius reduced the amount to five hundred thousand sesterces. Even this reduced sum Galba never received."

Denomination: Denarius, Ag

Obverse: Laureate head of Nero to left, IMP SER GALBA CAESAR AVG

Reverse: Livia standing facing, head left, holding sceptre and patera, DIVA AVGVSTA

Mint: Rome, 68/69 A.D.

Weight: 3,11 g

Diameter: 18mm

Provenance: Numismatik Naumann

Reference : 6.1 RIC I 187, RSC 56

Collection : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 01 - Julio-Claudian