Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Augustus AV Aureus. Lugdunum, 8 BC. AVGVSTVS DIVI F, laureate head right / C•CAES, Gaius Caesar galloping to right, holding sword and shield in left hand and gripping reins with right; aquila between two standards in background, AVGVST in exergue. RIC 198; C. 39; BMCRE 498; Calicó 174a; BN 1466; Lyon 68; Bahrfeldt 233. 8.01g, 20mm, 6h.
Good Extremely Fine; engraved in handsome style and among the very finest specimens in private hands. Very Rare.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 112, 25 November 2002, lot 295.
In contrast to Augustus' many lasting achievements as Emperor was his continuous ill fortune in appointing a long-term successor. Although his position as princeps was not officially a hereditary one, Augustus utilised his power to fast track members of his family to positions of political and military power with the intention that they would one day be able to assume the position of responsibility for the government of Rome and its territories. This included his grandsons Gaius and Lucius, the two sons of Julia and Agrippa, upon whom Suetonius suggests Augustus fixed his hope of succession and that it was only through atrox fortuna (cruel fate cf. Suetonius, Tiberius 23), the untimely deaths of the two grandsons within eighteen months of each other, that this desire was ended.
According to Tacitus and Suetonius, Augustus had adopted Gaius and Lucius in 17 BC with the intention of grooming them to become his successors. The gradual promotion of Gaius is recorded by Cassius Dio (55.9.1-9) who says that at fifteen he was elected to the Senate and was made a pontifex and princeps iuventutis. However, the event commemorated on this reverse takes place before this elevation and is most likely Gaius' first participation in military exercises with the legions of the Rhine in 8 BC, as attested by Cassius Dio 55.6.4. The dating of this coin has previously been the subject of some debate, with alternative dates of 5 BC (when the equites gave him the title of princeps iuventutis giving him the commandment of a division of cavalry, see Dio Cassius 55.9.9) or 2 BC (Gaius departing from the Forum of Augustus to assume his first military command in the East) having also been suggested. However, it has been convincingly demonstrated by John Pollini that a later date could not have been possible (see The Meaning and Date of The Reverse Type of Gaius Caesar on Horseback, 1985. pp. 113-117). One major reason for this is that Gaius is clearly wearing a bulla around his neck, purposefully exaggerated in size to make it more apparent. The bulla was worn by Roman youths before they don the toga virilis which signified their transition to manhood. It is known that Gaius assumed the toga virilis in 5 BC (see Dio Cassius 55.9.9 and IGRR 4, 1756.23-26) and therefore an earlier date must be assumed for this coin.
Good Extremely Fine; engraved in handsome style and among the very finest specimens in private hands. Very Rare.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 112, 25 November 2002, lot 295.
In contrast to Augustus' many lasting achievements as Emperor was his continuous ill fortune in appointing a long-term successor. Although his position as princeps was not officially a hereditary one, Augustus utilised his power to fast track members of his family to positions of political and military power with the intention that they would one day be able to assume the position of responsibility for the government of Rome and its territories. This included his grandsons Gaius and Lucius, the two sons of Julia and Agrippa, upon whom Suetonius suggests Augustus fixed his hope of succession and that it was only through atrox fortuna (cruel fate cf. Suetonius, Tiberius 23), the untimely deaths of the two grandsons within eighteen months of each other, that this desire was ended.
According to Tacitus and Suetonius, Augustus had adopted Gaius and Lucius in 17 BC with the intention of grooming them to become his successors. The gradual promotion of Gaius is recorded by Cassius Dio (55.9.1-9) who says that at fifteen he was elected to the Senate and was made a pontifex and princeps iuventutis. However, the event commemorated on this reverse takes place before this elevation and is most likely Gaius' first participation in military exercises with the legions of the Rhine in 8 BC, as attested by Cassius Dio 55.6.4. The dating of this coin has previously been the subject of some debate, with alternative dates of 5 BC (when the equites gave him the title of princeps iuventutis giving him the commandment of a division of cavalry, see Dio Cassius 55.9.9) or 2 BC (Gaius departing from the Forum of Augustus to assume his first military command in the East) having also been suggested. However, it has been convincingly demonstrated by John Pollini that a later date could not have been possible (see The Meaning and Date of The Reverse Type of Gaius Caesar on Horseback, 1985. pp. 113-117). One major reason for this is that Gaius is clearly wearing a bulla around his neck, purposefully exaggerated in size to make it more apparent. The bulla was worn by Roman youths before they don the toga virilis which signified their transition to manhood. It is known that Gaius assumed the toga virilis in 5 BC (see Dio Cassius 55.9.9 and IGRR 4, 1756.23-26) and therefore an earlier date must be assumed for this coin.