Forces of Galba in Spain. In the name of Augustus, 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.35 g, 3 h), uncertain mint in Spain. Group A.IV, 3 April-2nd half of June 68. CAESAR AVGVSTVS Head of Augustus to left, wearing oak wreath.
Rev. DIVVS - IVLIVS Sidus Iulium: eight-rayed comet with tail upwards. BMC -. CG 147.1 corr. (
this coin, but with oak not laurel wreath). Cohen -. Martin -. Nicolas -. RIC -. Unique and unpublished save for its previous auction appearance. Beautiful old toning and with an unusually fine portrait. Very fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 106, 9 May 2018, 910 corr. (oak not laurel wreath).
What sets group A.IV apart from the others, other than the style, is the use of an oak wreath as Augustus' headgear instead of the usual laurel wreath. As such, the coins follow their Augustan prototypes more accurately, which portray the first emperor with the
corona civica, formed from oak leaves and awarded to him by the Senate in 27 BC.
