Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 9 24 Oct 2021
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Forces of Galba in Spain. Anonymous, 3 April-2nd half of June 68. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.43 g, 6 h), uncertain mint in Spain. Group VII. CONCORDIA•ORB•TER• Diademed, veiled and draped bust of Concordia to right. Rev. PIA FELICITAS Felicitas standing front, head to left, holding patera over lighted altar in her right hand and short scepter in her left. BMC -. D. Bonneterre and D. Nony: Un denier Romain inédit de la Crise de 68-69 ap. J.-C., in: BSFN (May 1973), p. 384f. = Martin 4a = RIC 41. CG 62.1 (this coin). Cohen -. Nicolas -. Of the highest rarity, the second known example and the only one in private hands. A beautifully toned and very unusual piece. Faint cleaning scratches and with an old scuff on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow.
While most civil war issues can be linked to other groups by types and iconography, this is not the case with this unusual coin. It is true that Concordia and Felicitas are featured elsewhere, but not with such unusual legends and obverse iconography. This and the fact that the first recorded example was found in Alesia, the famous place of Julius Caesar's final victory over Vercingetorix, has led previous authors to assign the coin to a mint in Gaul, either under the control of Vindex or the Rhine Legions. However, the rendering of Concordia, her straight nose, prominent eye, protruding chin and long neck, are clearly reminiscent of lots 1021 above and 1023-1024 below (Group VII), all of which can be assigned to the Forces of Galba in Spain. Thus, there can be little doubt that this coin also belongs to Group VII and that its dies were very likely made by the same artist. As for the legends, they fit nicely into the early civil war messaging of Galba in that they praise the 'unity of the world' and celebrate Felicitas, the goddess of happiness.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow.
While most civil war issues can be linked to other groups by types and iconography, this is not the case with this unusual coin. It is true that Concordia and Felicitas are featured elsewhere, but not with such unusual legends and obverse iconography. This and the fact that the first recorded example was found in Alesia, the famous place of Julius Caesar's final victory over Vercingetorix, has led previous authors to assign the coin to a mint in Gaul, either under the control of Vindex or the Rhine Legions. However, the rendering of Concordia, her straight nose, prominent eye, protruding chin and long neck, are clearly reminiscent of lots 1021 above and 1023-1024 below (Group VII), all of which can be assigned to the Forces of Galba in Spain. Thus, there can be little doubt that this coin also belongs to Group VII and that its dies were very likely made by the same artist. As for the legends, they fit nicely into the early civil war messaging of Galba in that they praise the 'unity of the world' and celebrate Felicitas, the goddess of happiness.