The Civil War, 68 – 69. Aureus, Spain 68-69, AV 19 mm, 7.97 g. GENIO P R Head of Genius r., wearing berried wreath; behind, cornucopia. Rev. MARTI VLTORI Mars advancing r. naked but for helmet and parazonium slung around his chest, holding javelin and shield. C –, cf. 384 (denarius). BMC –, cf. 2 and p. 288, † note (denarius). RIC –, cf. 18 (denarius). Martin –, cf. 34 (denarius). Calicó –. C. Gollnow: Die Anonymen Münzen des Vierkaiserjahres 68/69 n. Chr. (unpublished draft) 44. cf. Leu Winterthur sale 9, 2021, 1002. Of the highest rarity, only the third and by far the finest specimen known. An issue of tremendous importance and fascination in an exceptional state of preservation. Almost invisible marks, otherwise good extremely fineGraded AU, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5 – brushed, NGC photo certificate number 8559870-005 Ex NAC sale 165, 2026, 488. From a Scandinavian collection. In March AD 68, C. Julius Vindex, the senatorial governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, raised his forces in rebellion against Nero's tax policies in the province. To strengthen his position, Vindex gained the support of Servius Sulpicius Galba, the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, whom he suggested should become emperor in Nero's place. Galba appears to have welcomed this idea and raised his own province in revolt, perhaps partly out of necessity. Suetonius reports that Nero was plotting his death because he had failed to report earlier on Vindex's disaffection. On 2 April, the legions at Carthago Nova hailed Galba as imperator, but he initially eschewed the imperial title, instead preferring to describe himself only as legatus senatus populi Romani ("legate of the Senate and People of Rome"), in contrast with Nero, whose reign was characterised as tyrannical by the senatorial elite. Galba subsequently spent his time raising money and military support for his cause, in part by selling Spanish estates owned by Nero. The republican presentation of the revolts of Vindex and Galba soon caused Ti. Julius Alexander, the prefect of Egypt, to throw his support behind Galba, praising both rebel leaders as men concerned for "the safety of mankind". It also inspired Clodius Macer, the governor of Africa, to raise an independent revolt. Likewise, although L. Verginius Rufus crushed the revolt of Vindex in May 68 and was hailed imperator by his Rhine legions, he refused to accept imperial power. Galba despaired of his own revolt in the aftermath of Vindex's defeat, but little did he know that the ongoing uprisings, combined with the anticipation of rich rewards, had caused the prefect of the Praetorian Guard to declare for him and had driven Nero first to flee and then to commit suicide. Under these circumstances, on 8 June 68, Galba was recognised by the Senate as emperor – the first in the bloody Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69). This extremely rare aureus belongs to a series struck in Spain during the period of Galba's revolt. Although it is customarily attributed to an uncertain mint in Spain, it seems likely that it was struck at Tarraco – the seat of Galba's power as governor of Hispania Tarraconensis. Unlike the Spanish denarii produced during the revolt, which followed the reduced weight standard introduced by Nero in 64, the aurei were struck to the heavier standard used prior to the Neronian monetary reforms. The types of the present aureus (also known for a parallel series of denarii) are highly appropriate to Galba's propaganda programme, appealing to republican sentiment and consciously avoiding the representation of Galba as a new emperor. Here, the obverse depicts the Genius Populi Romani ("Spirit of the Roman People"), whom Galba professed to serve when he designated himself legatus senatus populi Romani rather than imperator at the beginning of his revolt. The reverse type honours Mars Ultor ("the Avenger"), a deity whose meaning could be interpreted in various ways. He may be understood as symbolising the overthrow of Nero as an act of vengeance on behalf of the Roman people, or as a continued assertion of Galba's position as a mere magistrate. It was from his temple in Rome that magistrates were dispatched at the beginning of their terms, and it was also the place where the Senate met to deliberate on questions of peace and war. Mars Ultor also hints at Galba's latent interest in becoming emperor. The temple of Mars Ultor in Rome was originally dedicated by Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in 2 BC, in fulfilment of a vow made in 42 BC. At that time, he had sworn to build a great temple for the god if granted victory and vengeance over Brutus, Cassius, and the other assassins of his adoptive father, Julius Caesar. Through Augustus' association with Mars Ultor, the aureus subtly casts the unnamed Galba as a new emperor, modelled on the vaunted Augustus, in contrast to the disastrous reign of Nero. The god on the reverse may also reflect Galba's own vow in the hope that he would be granted victory over his enemies in the developing civil war. Unfortunately, while he achieved victory and recognition on 8 June 68, this success was short-lived. On 15 January 69, Galba was murdered by elements of the Praetorian Guard seeking revenge for his failure to provide them with a substantial donative and for his execution of their praetor, Nymphidius Sabinus. Their actions elevated M. Salvius Otho to the imperial purple – a man who sought revenge on Galba for overlooking him as his heir in favour of the hapless L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus as his designated successor. Mars Ultor could indeed be a fickle god. Please find here the video of the coin