Lot 3783

Description

Gaius (Caligula), (A.D. 37-41), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 39-40, (26.16 grams), obv. Pietas veiled and draped seated to left, holding a patera, left arm resting ona facing figure draped on basis, around C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR P III P P, 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, (S.1802 [£300 F], RIC 44, BMC -, (pL.28, 9). Very dark patina, several surface defects as old corrosion spots, otherwise nearly very fine and rare.

Ex Noble Numismatics Auction Sale 79 (lot 3587). 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.