Lot 3244

Description

Gaius (Caligula), (A.D. 37-41), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 37-38, (24.15 grams), obv. Pietas veiled and draped seated to left, holding a patera, left arm resting on a facing figure draped on basis, around C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS P M TR POT, PIETAS in exergue, dotted border, rev. DIVO AVG over S C across the field, hexastyle garlanded temple, quadriga above, before which is Gaius, veiled and togate, sacrificing with patera over altar, one attendant leads a bull another behind, (cf.S.1802 [£750 VF], RIC 36, BMC 41). Tooled surface and enhanced letters, otherwise about very fine and rare.

Sear (p.356), comments on this issue noting that there were two temples in Rome honouring the deified Augustus, one on the Palatine, the other of uncertain location, possibly behind the Basilica Julia in the depression between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. The latter, built under Tiberius, was dedicated by Caligula in August A.D. 37, an event commemorated by this elaborate architectural type.