Germanicus/Caligula Dupondius

I keep forgetting to post this, it's been my avatar coin for a couple weeks now. Germanicus and Caligula were both on my list, here is a coin of honoring Germanicus, minted by his kid Caligula.


Germanicus. Æ Dupondius Struck under Gaius (Caligula), AD 37-41.


O: GERMANICVS/CAESAR in two lines above, Germanicus standing right in chariot, R: SIGNIS RECEPT/DEVICTIS GERM/S C in three lines across field, Germanicus, bareheaded, wearing cuirass and short tunic, holding aquila in left hand. RIC I 57 (Gaius); BMCRE 93-100 (Caligula); BN 140-51 (Caligula). Rome mint. 28 mm. 12.2 gm.

This coin is a bit rough, but this is as good as it gets for the chrsmat71 collection. Nice versions are way out of my price range. When my wife saw how much I payed for this rough piece of round metal she just rolled her eyes and reminded me about some bills we have to pay. I think it's pretty awesome.

If your not familiar with Germanicus, here is the the long story...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanicus

The very short version: He was a Julio-Claudian All Star and was the nephew/adopted kid of Tiberius ...and was next in line to be emperor after him. He was a kick @$$ general and fought several successful campaigns against the Germanic tribes.

The reverse of this coin (PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG HERE!) pretty much says "The standards recovered (received?)/ the Germans conquered". Germanicus recovered two of the three legion standards lost in the Teutoburg Forest catastrophe, and was thrown a big triumph when he returned. That is what this coin is all about. During these campaigns, Gaius tagged along as a kid, dressed up like a little soldier and got the nickname everyone knows him by ..."Caligula". Pretty much means "Little Boots" or maybe "Booties". If you run into Caligula in the after life, don't call him Caligula. He'll probably try to punch you in the face.

Germanicus later was assigned to duties in the east (Syria, Egypt), got into a quarrel with this cat over there, and died under mysterious circumstances...that they couldn't quite pin on the cat previously mentioned. So he didn't get to be emperor, but his kid Gaius did when Tiberius died. And when we was emperor, he had this coin minted to remind everyone that he was the son of an awesome guy.


Post any coins of Germanicus, "Booties", Tiberius, or any related folks!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

That's a very cool coin. I have always thought they were attractive as well as historic. Your looks great.

 

Man, chris, that's a seriously enviable coin. A cool type and an example with loads of eye appeal.

Here's my grungy brockage as of Germanicus.

 

A great looking coin

 

That's one very historically important coin you have there, with great detail. Terrific catch, worthy avatar chrsmat71.

 

Fantastic coin, Chris!! Funny write up too. I have one plain-Jane Germanicus but don't know how to copy and paste the picture from the phone.

 

Great coin, would love to add that one in my collection, congrats Chris.

I have a sestertius of his father Nero Claudius Drusus (38-9 BC) another famous roman general and father of emperor Claudius,who issued this coin.

 

I love the design of your new coin Chris, but I've stayed away from this type because it is so heavily faked. I would have to be certain of both the coin and the seller.

 

Fantastic coin @chrsmat71. I would love to grab one of the type one day.

 

That's a really neat coin steeped in history. Love the write-up too!

 

I would love to have that OP coin! Like the toning, too!!!
Here is my Germanicus:

 

Great coin @chrsmat71

I enjoyed following along the story of Germanicus and Drusus from I Claudius.

 

Thanks everyone, and cool era coins!

 

Super nice coin and write-up chrsmat77.

~Doug

 

Here ar my best Caligulas,silver formerly from my collection, and a bronze curently in my collection.

 

Here comes my Germanicus As:

And my dupondius:

Both with a delicious chocolate patine...
Taste it so good...maybe just a bite!

 

I have a humble Germanicus example, but there is a lot of cool history that revolves around the coin.


RI Germanicus AE As 27mm struck under Caligula- S-C

 

I'm starting to believe in Caligula's Curse...My first Caligula coin, a Vesta As succumbed by bronze disease. I needed to replace it.

 

CALIGULA:
Humble example, but fills my Roman Ruler Slots...


RI Gaius Caligula AE As 37-41 CE Vesta seated S-C