Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Gaius, 37 – 41

Sestertius circa 37-38, Æ 31.57g. C·CAESAR·AVG·GERMANICVS·PON·M·TR·POT Laureate head l. Rev. S·P·Q·R / P·P / OB·CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath. C 24. BMC 38. RIC 37. CBN 50.
Very rare and in an exceptional state of preservation. A bold portrait, work of a very skilled
master engraver and an incredibly finely detailed reverse die. A pleasant
brown-green patina and good extremely fine

Ex Triton sale VI, 2003, lot 818.

A truly stunning portrait sestertius of Caligula. The portrait "jumps off the coin". The color is spectacular and this is about as close to mint state as a bronze coin can be. One of my favorite coins in the entire collection. Truly worthy of being in the finest collection! MSG

The reverse type with P(ater) P(atriae) and OB CIVES SERVATOS shows the honorific titles bestowed upon the emperor by the Roman senate upon his ascension. These honors along with the obverse honors of Pon(tifex) M(aximus) and Tr(ibunicias) Pot(estas) run the whole gamut of titles earned by Augustus. Sadly, Caligula would prove to merit none of these honors as his rule, which started with much hope, quickly eroded to the point that he was eventually killed by his own praetorian guard.

The portrait style here is highly idealized as was the case with Augustus. Caligula takes on strong god-like qualities on this coin and the delicate engraving is a sign that the new school of Roman engravers started under the rule of Tiberius was still quite capable of executing artistic work. MSG.