Nomos AG
Auction 24 22 May 2022
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Gaius (Caligula), with Divus Augustus, 37-41. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.81 g, 3 h), Lugdunum, 37. C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS Bare head of Caligula to right. Rev. Radiate head of Divus Augustus to right, between two six-rayed stars. BMC 1. BN 1-2. Calicó 336. Cohen 10. RIC 1. A splendid example: sharply struck, very well-centered, and with fine and expressive portraits. Extremely fine.
Caligula honored his mother, father, brothers, grandmother and great-grandfather with an extensive coinage. The reverse of this coin features the radiate head of Caligula's grandfather, the deified Augustus, the two stars signifying his divine status. Recently, it has been suggested that the head is really that of Tiberius, the stars symbolizing his deified adoptive father and grandfather, Augustus and Julius Caesar. This, however, is unlikely, since Tiberius was directly responsible for the murder or execution of so many members of Caligula's immediate family.
Caligula honored his mother, father, brothers, grandmother and great-grandfather with an extensive coinage. The reverse of this coin features the radiate head of Caligula's grandfather, the deified Augustus, the two stars signifying his divine status. Recently, it has been suggested that the head is really that of Tiberius, the stars symbolizing his deified adoptive father and grandfather, Augustus and Julius Caesar. This, however, is unlikely, since Tiberius was directly responsible for the murder or execution of so many members of Caligula's immediate family.