★ The adlocutio cohortium of Gaius ★

Gaius (Caligula), 37-41. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 35 mm, 30.80 g, 6 h), Rome, 37-38. C•CAESAR•AVG•GERMANICVS•PON•M•TR•POT• Laureate head of Gaius to left. Rev. ADLOCVT / COH Gaius, togate, standing left on low platform, sella castrensis behind him, extending his right hand and addressing five helmeted soldiers, standing right, holding shields and aquilae. BMC 33. CBN 45. Cohen 1. RIC 32. Perfectly centered on a broad and heavy flan. Minor smoothing, otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang, ex Obolos 3, 15 November 2015, 278, and from the collection of W. B. and R. E. Montgomery, Roma II, 2 October 2011, 585.

The wonderful reverse scene of this coin depicts the emperor standing on a platform while addressing his assembled troops, a so-called adlocutio cohortium. Upon his accession, Gaius already had a firm reputation as being 'raised in the camp' while on campaign with his father, Germanicus (hence his nickname Caligula, 'Little Soldier's Boot'); thus it was only natural that he would end up having good relations with the legions. As a ritual, the adlocutio not only told the Roman public that the emperor and his men stood ready to defend the empire against its foreign enemies. It also affirmed to any potential opposition that the ruler could count on his army's loyalty to stave off any internal threats to the throne.