Rhine Legions. Anonymous, circa May/June-December 68. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 2.91 g, 11 h), uncertain mint in Gaul or in the Rhine Valley. 'Virtus-Roma Group'. VIRT Head of Virtus to right, wearing crested helmet decorated with two volutes on the bowl. Rev. S-P-Q-R around round shield lying on top of two spears in saltire. BMC -. CG 117.2 (this coin). Cohen -. Martin -. Nicolas -. RIC -. Of the highest rarity, the best of only two known examples. Crystallized, otherwise, good very fine.


Although the shield on the reverse of this issue is reminiscent of the shield issues of Galba, style, fabric, and obverse type point toward a production by the Rhine Legions in Gaul or the Rhine Valley. In fact, the type is likely not derived from Galba's civil war coinage, but from a denarius of Octavian struck in 30-29 BC (RIC 274). This blends in well with the general reception of Augustan coinage in the civil war series (see lots 1042-1057 above and lots 1152-154 and 1175 below).