Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 26.36 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. VF.

Electronic Auction 539
Lot: 622. Estimated: $ 1 500

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 1 400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (35mm, 26.36 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. C • CAESAR • AVG • GERMANICVS • PON • M • TR • POT, laureate head left / ADLOCVT above, COH in exergue, Gaius, bareheaded and togate, standing left on daïs, extending right hand in gesture of address; behind him a sella castrensis (chair); in front of him stand five soldiers right, all helmeted, holding shields, and parazonia; four aquilae behind them. RIC I 32; BMCRE 33-35; BN 45-46. Dark green-brown patina, smoothed and tooled. VF.

Ex Brian Holland Collection, Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 525 (20 October 2022), lot 1037; Classical Numismatic Group 70 (21 September 2005), lot 738.

Before a battle, or on parade, the emperor would address his troops in an event known as an adlocutio cohortium (address to the cohorts). This was an important opportunity for the emperor to be present among his troops to inspire morale. This sestertius was issued on the occasion of a donative for the Praetorian Guard and was the first to employ the adlocutio as a reverse type.

Closing Date and Time: 31 May 2023 at 13:27:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.