Lot 4892

Description

Gaius (Caligula), (A.D. 37-41), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 37-38, (27.30 grams), obv. laureate head of Caligula to left, around C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, rev. [ADLOCUT] above, Gaius bare headed in togate, standing left on platform before low stool, haranguing with right hand extended to five soldiers holding shields and aquilae, in exergue COH, (cf.S.1799, RIC 32, C.1, BMC 33, CBN 45). Black patination with some surface flaking, otherwise nd brown patina, some minor encrustation around letters on obverse. fine and rare.

It has been noted that this coin is highly unusual in that it lacks the letters S C, which designates an issue by decree of the Senate (Senatus Consulto). From Republican times, the formula had been used on both silver and bronze coinage, but under the Empire, it was used almost exclusively on the bronze coinage. In fact, imperial bronze coinage without the formula is generally thought to have been issued under special circumstances and under an authority other than the Senate. The ADLOCVT(io) COH(ortium) sestertii are thought to have been a special distribution issue for the Praetorian Guard personally funded out of the emperor's own purse.