Roman Imperial, Galba, Sestertius

Lovely sestertius of emperor Galba with a draped bust. This type is minted upon Galba's arrival in Rome. It commemorates the return to the reign of Libertas (Liberty) after the end of Nero's oppressive reign, which ended in bloody eradication of the plot by Gaius Piso in AD 65. The choice of Libertas, holding the pileus, symbolizes a return to the ancient tradition of the Republic, which unfortunately did not survive the attack on Galba on January 15, 69 AD.

Roman Imperial

Galba (68-69), Sestertius 68-69, Rome mint

Obverse: laureate, draped bust right

IMP SER SVLP GALBA CAES AVG TR P

Reverse: Libertas standing left, holding pileus and sceptre, S-C across fields

LIBERTAS PVBLICA

Diameter 37 mm, weight 26.33 g