Roman Silver & Bronze Coins - Imperial

Lot 4518    Session 17 (11.30am Friday 25 November) Terry Naughton Colle    Roman Silver & Bronze Coins - Imperial

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $240

GAIUS (CALIGULA), (A.D. 37-41), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 40-41, (25.34 g), obv. Pietas veiled and draped seated to left, holding a patera, left arm resting on a facing figure draped on basis, around C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG 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, RIC 36, BMC 41). Brown worn surface, fine and scarce.

Ex I.S. Wright, Sydney, March 2, 2005.
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.