Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 29.94 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38.

Electronic Auction 482
Lot: 374. Estimated: $ 2 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 4 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 29.94 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. Laureate head left / Gaius' three sisters standing facing: Agrippina (as Securitas) leaning on column, holding cornucopia, and placing hand on Drusilla (as Concordia), holding patera and cornucopia; on right, Julia (as Fortuna) holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC I 33; BMCRE 36-7; BN 47-9. Green-brown patina, obverse pitting, rim bumps. VF. A pleasing example of this popular type.

On this popular and graceful reverse, the three sisters of Gaius (Caligula) are portrayed in the guises of three goddesses: Securitas (Agrippina), Concordia (Drusilla) and Fortuna (Julia). All three were subject to lurid speculation that was preserved in contemporary histories of the reign. Drusilla, reportedly his favorite (and subject of his incestuous attentions), died of a sudden illness in 38 AD at the age of 22. Caligula’s grief was tremendous and ordered her deified, making her the first woman to be so honored. Drusilla’s widowed husband, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, then reportedly became lovers with both of the surviving two sisters, perhaps as part of a conspiracy to replace Caligula. Their plotting was detected in the summer of AD 39; Lepidus was executed and Julia and Agrippina exiled to the Pontine Islands.

Closing Date and Time: 16 December 2020 at 12:04:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.