Gaius (Caligula) (AD 37-41), with Divus Augustus (or Tiberius). AV aureus (19mm, 7.63 gm, 11h). NGC XF 5/5 - 4/5. Lugdunum, 1st issue, AD 37. C•CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS, bare head of Caligula right / Radiate head of Divus Augustus right; flanked by two six-pointed stars. RIC I 1. Calicó 336b. Strong portrait types emphasized by subtly warm toning. From the Historical Scholar Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Auction 57 (4 April 2001), lot 1058; Bank Leu, Auction 77 (11 May 2000), lot 522 Despite being perhaps the worst of all Roman emperors, Caligula's coinage is interesting and attractive. As he had few, if any, real accomplishments to tout, his reverse types place great stress on his blue-blooded lineage. His portrait on this aureus is more peaceful than his denarii issues and compliments the stoic image on the reverse, depicting his great-grandfather, Augustus, now deified. The second star on the reverse possibly intended to represent Tiberius.

HID09801242017

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