Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Gaius, 37 – 41

Denarius 40, AR 3.75 g. C·CAESAR·AVG·PON·M·TR·POT·III·COS·III Laureate head of Gaius r. Rev. GERMANICVS·CAES·P·CAES·AVG·GERM Bare head of Germanicus r. C 5. BMC 28. RIC 26. CBN 34.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Two wonderful portraits perfectly
struck and centered on a full flan, lovely iridescent tone and good extremely fine

Ex Tkalec sale 24 October 2003, 218.

The limited variety of types in precious metal under Caligula can be dated based on obverse legend. This makes the number of RIC listings greatly exceed the distinct pictorial types actually used. This issue, from Caligula's fourth year, shows his deceased father, Germanicus. The dynastic issues showing Divus Augustus (his grandfather), Agrippina (his mother) and Germanicus all go back to the Augustan blood line and away from the Claudian blood line of Tiberius. Indeed, Caligula was the only living descendant of Augustus at the time of Tiberius' death. Clearly this was on purpose and likely done to separate himself from the memories of the poorly regarded and less than pleasant, Tiberius. At the time of Tiberius' death, Caligula was the only living male whose bloodline led directly back to the divine Augustus. Nero, who would be the last of the Augustan line would be born a year after Caligula's ascension to the throne. Caligula clearly lacked any political experience and his coinage focuses largely on his "right to rule."

The honoring of Germanicus should not be understated however as he was a very popular and much beloved individual having had great military success in his own right. He is perhaps best known for avenging the defeat of Varus at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, in Germany. His political life was not as successful and a theory exists that his death may have come at the hands of Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso under direction from Tiberius. Piso committed suicide before his trial and the truth never came out.

Germanicus was from the Claudian line and was the son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia, the daughter of Marc Antony. It seems a strange irony that a descendant of Marc Antony would eventually have sole rule of Rome (in Caligula, his grandson). It would seem only fitting that Claudius, brother of Germanicus, would succeed Caligula to the throne. MSG.