Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 120 6-7 Oct 2020
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Gaius augustus, 37 – 41
Aureus, Lugdunum 37-38, AV 7.74 g. C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT Bare head of Gaius r. Rev. DIVVS AVG PATER PATRIAE Radiate head of Augustus r. C –, cf. 3 (denarius). BMC 10 note. RIC 9. CBN 17. Giard, RN 1976, pl. VIII, 9. Giard Lyon 159. Calicó 331.
Very rare and in extraordinary condition for the issue, possibly the finest aureus of
Gaius in private hands. Two spectacular portraits of fine style perfectly struck
and centred on a full flan. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex SKA sale 4, 1985, 450.
Few of Rome's emperors enjoy as foul a reputation as Gaius, who is generally known by the nickname Caligula, meaning 'bootikin' or 'little boots', which he received from his father's soldiers while he was still an amiable child. He grew to despise the nickname almost as much as everyone grew to despise him. There is little need to revisit the list of his debaucheries, incests and acts of depravity – we need only note that his behaviour was a special blend of intellect and insanity, and that he has few peers beyond Nero, Commodus and Elagabalus.
This aureus of the Rome mint from Caligula's first year as emperor must have been well-received for what it represented as a moment of jubilant change. Here we have a fresh coinage bearing the portrait of a young emperor who in this inaugural year brought hope to a nation that had grown to dislike Tiberius, especially in his last few years. The fact that Caligula would soon disappoint on a scale even greater than Tiberius was not yet known, and could not have taken away from the joy of the moment.
At the time of Tiberius' death, Caligula was the only living male whose bloodline led directly back to the divine Augustus. Only one other with that qualification would follow, the future emperor Nero, However, at the time of Caligula's accession Nero was not yet born. Indeed, his birth on December 15 of 37 indicates that Nero likely was conceived within a few days of Tiberius' death – a curiosity that was not missed by Suetonius (Nero 6.1).
From the start Caligula worked from his sole point of strength: his pedigree. He represented a return to the bloodline of Augustus after the grim dynastic detour by the Claudian Tiberius. Hopes for a cheerful succession had been dashed numerous times in the past with the deaths of Marcellus, Nero Claudius Drusus, Gaius Caesar, Lucius Caesar, Agrippa Posthumous, Germanicus, Nero Caesar, and Drusus Caesar, all of whom died young and under mysterious or degrading circumstances. Thus, the mere survival of Caligula as a great-grandson of Augustus and a son of Germanicus, was enough to overcome his significant lack of experience and mental instability.
Caligula first issued coins honouring the divine Augustus and, dutifully, his predecessor Tiberius. He followed with coins honouring his mother and father, both of whom perished during the reign of Tiberius. It is in this light we should see also the aurei honouring his martyred father, the hero of the Rhine legions and a vigorous ambassador in Rome's Eastern provinces.
Germanicus was extensively honoured on coinage by his relatives. During his lifetime, provincial coins were struck in his name by his uncle Tiberius, and after his death he was honoured by his son Caligula and his brother Claudius with a full range of imperial gold, silver and base metal coins, as well as silver and base metal coins from the provinces.
Aureus, Lugdunum 37-38, AV 7.74 g. C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT Bare head of Gaius r. Rev. DIVVS AVG PATER PATRIAE Radiate head of Augustus r. C –, cf. 3 (denarius). BMC 10 note. RIC 9. CBN 17. Giard, RN 1976, pl. VIII, 9. Giard Lyon 159. Calicó 331.
Very rare and in extraordinary condition for the issue, possibly the finest aureus of
Gaius in private hands. Two spectacular portraits of fine style perfectly struck
and centred on a full flan. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex SKA sale 4, 1985, 450.
Few of Rome's emperors enjoy as foul a reputation as Gaius, who is generally known by the nickname Caligula, meaning 'bootikin' or 'little boots', which he received from his father's soldiers while he was still an amiable child. He grew to despise the nickname almost as much as everyone grew to despise him. There is little need to revisit the list of his debaucheries, incests and acts of depravity – we need only note that his behaviour was a special blend of intellect and insanity, and that he has few peers beyond Nero, Commodus and Elagabalus.
This aureus of the Rome mint from Caligula's first year as emperor must have been well-received for what it represented as a moment of jubilant change. Here we have a fresh coinage bearing the portrait of a young emperor who in this inaugural year brought hope to a nation that had grown to dislike Tiberius, especially in his last few years. The fact that Caligula would soon disappoint on a scale even greater than Tiberius was not yet known, and could not have taken away from the joy of the moment.
At the time of Tiberius' death, Caligula was the only living male whose bloodline led directly back to the divine Augustus. Only one other with that qualification would follow, the future emperor Nero, However, at the time of Caligula's accession Nero was not yet born. Indeed, his birth on December 15 of 37 indicates that Nero likely was conceived within a few days of Tiberius' death – a curiosity that was not missed by Suetonius (Nero 6.1).
From the start Caligula worked from his sole point of strength: his pedigree. He represented a return to the bloodline of Augustus after the grim dynastic detour by the Claudian Tiberius. Hopes for a cheerful succession had been dashed numerous times in the past with the deaths of Marcellus, Nero Claudius Drusus, Gaius Caesar, Lucius Caesar, Agrippa Posthumous, Germanicus, Nero Caesar, and Drusus Caesar, all of whom died young and under mysterious or degrading circumstances. Thus, the mere survival of Caligula as a great-grandson of Augustus and a son of Germanicus, was enough to overcome his significant lack of experience and mental instability.
Caligula first issued coins honouring the divine Augustus and, dutifully, his predecessor Tiberius. He followed with coins honouring his mother and father, both of whom perished during the reign of Tiberius. It is in this light we should see also the aurei honouring his martyred father, the hero of the Rhine legions and a vigorous ambassador in Rome's Eastern provinces.
Germanicus was extensively honoured on coinage by his relatives. During his lifetime, provincial coins were struck in his name by his uncle Tiberius, and after his death he was honoured by his son Caligula and his brother Claudius with a full range of imperial gold, silver and base metal coins, as well as silver and base metal coins from the provinces.