Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 51 21 Jul 2019
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Judaea, Caesarea Paneas Gaius, 37-41 Bronze circa 40-41, Æ 20.7mm., 9.54g. Laureate head r. Rev. Germanicus in triumphal quadriga right, holding eagle-tipped scepter; in exergue, LE. Hendin 1240. RPC 4976.
Rare, About Very Fine.
One of the more famous issues struck for Herod Agrippa I, this piece is closely linked to Caligula's Imperial coinages. Not only is the portrait similar to those on Imperial coins of Rome and Lugdunum, but the reverse is copied from dupondii Caligula struck at the Rome mint in honor of his father Germanicus. The only differences are in the inscriptions, which on both sides of this coin are in Greek. Germanicus' coin is inscribed 'Germanicus Caesar' in Latin, and Herod's coin is inscribed 'Money of King Agrippa' in Greek, with the date, 'year 5' (=A.D. 40/41) in the exergue. Some researchers have suggested the dupondii in the name of Germanicus were struck while he was heir-apparent under Tiberius, rather than as a commemorative under Caligula. However, since Caligula also struck dupondii for his deceased brothers, and the reverse design of the Germanicus dupondius is copied onto this Herodian coin struck late in Caligula's reign, there seems little reason to question the traditional view. Herod Agrippa – called Agrippa on his coins, but Herod in the Acts of the Apostles – was raised in Rome, where he lived with the Imperial family; he was close friends with Tiberius' son Drusus and the future emperor Claudius, both of whom were about his age. He stayed in Rome until A.D. 23, when Drusus died of poisoning, and much later, in 36, was imprisoned for a treasonable utterance against Tiberius. Fortunately for him, Tiberius died soon thereafter, and Caligula released Agrippa, whom he appointed a Tetrarch in the East. This coin was issued about the time Agrippa had convinced the increasingly deranged Caligula not to desecrate the Temple in Jerusalem.
Rare, About Very Fine.
One of the more famous issues struck for Herod Agrippa I, this piece is closely linked to Caligula's Imperial coinages. Not only is the portrait similar to those on Imperial coins of Rome and Lugdunum, but the reverse is copied from dupondii Caligula struck at the Rome mint in honor of his father Germanicus. The only differences are in the inscriptions, which on both sides of this coin are in Greek. Germanicus' coin is inscribed 'Germanicus Caesar' in Latin, and Herod's coin is inscribed 'Money of King Agrippa' in Greek, with the date, 'year 5' (=A.D. 40/41) in the exergue. Some researchers have suggested the dupondii in the name of Germanicus were struck while he was heir-apparent under Tiberius, rather than as a commemorative under Caligula. However, since Caligula also struck dupondii for his deceased brothers, and the reverse design of the Germanicus dupondius is copied onto this Herodian coin struck late in Caligula's reign, there seems little reason to question the traditional view. Herod Agrippa – called Agrippa on his coins, but Herod in the Acts of the Apostles – was raised in Rome, where he lived with the Imperial family; he was close friends with Tiberius' son Drusus and the future emperor Claudius, both of whom were about his age. He stayed in Rome until A.D. 23, when Drusus died of poisoning, and much later, in 36, was imprisoned for a treasonable utterance against Tiberius. Fortunately for him, Tiberius died soon thereafter, and Caligula released Agrippa, whom he appointed a Tetrarch in the East. This coin was issued about the time Agrippa had convinced the increasingly deranged Caligula not to desecrate the Temple in Jerusalem.