Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Gaius, 37 – 41.
Aureus, Lugdunum 40, AV 7.73 g. C·CAESAR·AVG·PON·M·TR·POT·III·COS·III Laureate head r. Rev. S·P·Q·R / P·P / OB·C·S within oak wreath. C 20. BMC 29. RIC 27. CBN 37. Giard Lyon 182 (D205/R210). Calicó 329.
Extremely rare and in unusually fine condition for this very difficult issue. Lovely
light reddish tone, minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine / good very fine
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. On the bright side, Caligula was dutiful when it came to his well-produced coinage. Caligula honoured his great-grandfather Augustus, very likely Tiberius, his murdered parents, Germanicus and Agrippina Senior, and his murdered brothers, Nero Caesar and Drusus Caesar. Among the living he honoured his three sisters – in whom he had more than a casual interest – and, on provincial coinage, his final wife Caesonia and their daughter Drusilla Minor, both of whom were murdered within an hour of Caligula. Beside these issues honouring his family, Gaius struck a very small quantity of coins in silver and gold portraying himself alone. Both his denarii and aureii are extremely rare and almost impossible to find in good condition.
Aureus, Lugdunum 40, AV 7.73 g. C·CAESAR·AVG·PON·M·TR·POT·III·COS·III Laureate head r. Rev. S·P·Q·R / P·P / OB·C·S within oak wreath. C 20. BMC 29. RIC 27. CBN 37. Giard Lyon 182 (D205/R210). Calicó 329.
Extremely rare and in unusually fine condition for this very difficult issue. Lovely
light reddish tone, minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine / good very fine
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. On the bright side, Caligula was dutiful when it came to his well-produced coinage. Caligula honoured his great-grandfather Augustus, very likely Tiberius, his murdered parents, Germanicus and Agrippina Senior, and his murdered brothers, Nero Caesar and Drusus Caesar. Among the living he honoured his three sisters – in whom he had more than a casual interest – and, on provincial coinage, his final wife Caesonia and their daughter Drusilla Minor, both of whom were murdered within an hour of Caligula. Beside these issues honouring his family, Gaius struck a very small quantity of coins in silver and gold portraying himself alone. Both his denarii and aureii are extremely rare and almost impossible to find in good condition.