Galba, 68-69. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 36 mm, 26.61 g, 7 h), Rome, 2nd half of June 68-January 69. IMP•SER•GALBA• •AVG•TR P• Draped bust of Galba to right, wearing oak wreath. Rev. S P Q R / OB / CIV SER within oak wreath. BMC 115-116. CBN 122. Cohen 303. RIC 263. Struck on a very broad flan and with attractive orichalcum highlights. Thin flan crack, otherwise, good very fine.


The corona civica was the second highest Roman military decoration after the corona obsidionalis graminea. It was made of oak leaves and awarded to Roman citizens who saved the life of a fellow citizen by slaying an enemy, capturing his armor, and holding the battle line in place of the saved citizen. The corona civica was awarded to Julius Caesar during the siege of Mytilene in 81 BC and subsequently became one of the insignia of the Roman emperors.