Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire

Galba, 68 – 69. Aureus circa July 68 – June 69, AV 7.39 g. IMP SER – GALBA [AVG] Bare head r. Rev. S P Q R / OB C S within wreath. C 286. BMC 29. RIC 164. CBN 73. Calicó 509.
Very rare. A spectacular portrait in the finest style of the period and an enchanting
reddish tone. Unobtrusive area of weakness and a minor mark on
obverse, otherwise good extremely fine

Ex Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge 24 February 1904, W. Rome, 189; Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge 13 June 1911, John Glas Sandeman, 442; Hirsch 33, 1913, Baron F. von Schennis, 1169; Sotheby's 28 November 1988, Deceased Nobleman, 26 and Sotheby's 5 July 1995, 104 sales. From the Boscoreale hoard and previously exhibited in the library of the Corporation at the Guildhall, London.
Almost more remarkable than Galba's legacy as an emperor for seven months in 68 and 69 is the life he enjoyed before he claimed the purple. He was among the wealthiest men in the empire, and is said not to have travelled anywhere, not even on a casual afternoon ride, with less than ten thousand gold pieces. Being so wealthy and belonging to a noble family, the Suplicii, it is not surprising that he held many important posts in Rome and in the provinces, and was a personal acquaintance of the Julio-Claudians. Galba began his association with the Julio-Claudians with a pinch on the cheek from Augustus when he was a child, and thereafter he was closely acquainted with the emperors from Tiberius to Nero, whom he overthrew in 68. Agrippina Junior was apparently infatuated with him, and he enjoyed especially close friendships with Claudius and Livia. Suetonius tells us Livia made Galba her principal heir, leaving him 500,000 aurei, but that Tiberius nullified her bequest on a technicality, reducing the amount to only 5,000.