CALIGULA

Reigned: 37-41 A.D.

GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR GERMANICVS, born on August 31, 12 AD to Germanicus and Agrippina Sr., received his name "Caligula" from tiny army boots he wore as an infant. The Praetorian Praefect Macro secured his accession to the throne after Tiberius' death on March 16, 37, and for about six months he ruled well. After an illness in the fall of 37, he recovered to initiate a quite insane period of rule. His reign is noted only for its cruelty, depravity, bloodthirstiness, and insanity. Finally a group headed by Praetorians assassinated him, his fourth wife Caesonia, and their infant daughter on January 24, 41.

The Asses


Copper As 27mm (12.09gr) Struck 37-38 A.D. Rome mint

Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Barehead left, dated TR POT

Rev: VESTA S C Vesta seated left, pouring from a patera

BM-46, Paris-54, C-27, RIC-38, V.M. 9      Harry Stewart Collection


Copper As 29mm (8.71gr) Struck 37-38 A.D. Rome mint

Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Barehead left, dated TR POT

Rev: VESTA S C Vesta seated left, pouring from a patera

 RIC I, 38, SR 1803, VM 9.    Mark Lehman Collection

Copper As 28mm (10.38gr) Struck 37-38 A.D. Rome mint

Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Gaius (Caligula), his bare head left.

Rev:VESTA SC esta, veiled and draped, seated left on ornamental throne, holding patera in right and long transverse scepter in left hand.

RIC 38, Sear 1803, Cohen 27    Jan de Veen Collection


Copper As 28mm (9.86gr) Struck 40 - 41 A.D. Rome Mint

Obv: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P IIII PP Bare head left.

Rev: VESTA S C Vesta seated left holding patera and scepter.

RIC I, 54, VM 9b.      Mark Lehman Collection

 

The Fractions


Copper Quadrans 17.5mm (2.33gr) Struck 40 A.D. Rome Mint

Obv: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG around S - C to right and left of Phrygian ("Liberty") cap.

Rev: COS TERT PON M TR P IIII P P around RCC

 RIC 52, BMC 64, Sear 1804    Tom Mullally Collection



Copper Quadrans 17.5mm (2.37gr) Struck 40 A.D. Rome Mint

Obv: C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG around S - C to right and left of Phrygian ("Liberty") cap.

Rev: COS TERT PON M TR P IIII P P around RCC

RIC 1, 52, SR 1804, VM 10      Mark Lehman Collection

 

Forgeries

Forgery of a Sestertius 36mm (18.38gr) Struck in modern times

Rev: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Laureate head left.

Rev: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA SC The three sisters of Caligula standing as "The Three Graces.

This is a potentially dangerous forgery at first glance. It's one to look out for because there's quite a few out there!       Mark Lehman Collection