Caligula silver

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ivo, May 17, 2018.

  1. Ivo

    Ivo Member

    One of my favorites.

    !1 web gepl.jpg

    Caligula, drachm, mint Ceasarea ( Cappadocia ) 37- 41 AD.

    Obverse: legend; C. CEASAR. AUG. GERMANICUS. Bare head of Caligula right.
    Reverse: legend; IMPERATOR PONT. MAX.TR. POT. Simplum and Lituus
     
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  3. Aidan_()

    Aidan_() Numismatic Contributor

    What a wonderful coin Ivo! Welcome to the party! Now unleash your anger and post your coins with all your hatred...
     
    RAGNAROK, Severus Alexander and Ivo like this.
  4. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Very nice!!
     
    Ivo likes this.
  5. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    A wonderful drachm of Caligula. Here are my 2 denarii.
    caligula.jpg

    Caligula and Agrippina AR Denarius, aF, toned, bumps and marks,
    (17.84 mm, 2.680g) 180o
    Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, end of 37 - early 38 A.D.;
    Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT (counterclockwise), laureate head of Gaius right;
    Rev: AGRIPPINA MAT C CAES AVG GERM (counterclockwise), draped bust of Agrippina Senior (his mother), her hair in a queue behind, one curly lock falls loose on the side of her neck,
    RIC I 14 (R) (Rome), RSC II 2; BMCRE I 15 (Rome), BnF II 24, Hunter I 7 (Rome), SRCV I 1825
    Ex: the Jyrki Muona Collection, Ex: Forvm Ancient Coins.




    As you can tell from the photo, this is a worn coin. All denarii of Gaius (Caligula) are scarce, and some are harder to find than others. Denarii of Claudius are also scarce. The speculation is that after Nero debased the denarii, people hoarded all of the good silver coins, and this included denarii of Claudius and Gaius. According to Gresham's law bad money drives out good money. However, this does not explain why there appears to be plenty of earlier denarii available of figures such as Tiberius and Augustus but very few of Claudius and Gaius. We may never have a satisfactory answer.

    Now why do I call him Gaius. Caligula (meaning little boots) was a nickname given to Gaius when he was young and travelling with his father's (Germanicus) army. According to contemporary or near contemporary accounts he detested the name. If you were emperor I am sure you would not want to be called "Bootykins".

    The reverse of this coin has a portrait of Agrippina the Elder , Gaius' mother. She reportedly starved herself to death 4 years before Gaius became emperor.

    Gaius RIC 16 new copy.jpg

    SH86638. Silver denarius, RIC I 16 (R2, Rome), RSC I 2, Lyon 167, BnF II 21, BMCRE I 17, cf. SRCV I 1807 (aureus), VF, toned, attractive portraits, bumps and marks, some pitting, lamination defects, ex jewelry, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, weight 3.443g, maximum diameter 18.2mm, die axis 180o, 2nd emission, 37 - 38 A.D.; obverse C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT (counterclockwise from lower right), laureate head of Caligula right; reverse DIVVS AVG PATER PATRIAE (counterclockwise from lower right), radiate head of Divus Augustus right; ex Classical Numismatic Group, e-auction 69 (23 July 2003), lot 90
    Ex: Forum Ancient coins, March 2, 2018.


    This is my second denarius of Gaius. I was extremely happy to get this one. I know the surfaces are a bit rough, but it is still a VF example of a rare coin. Denarii of Caligula do not show up for sale very often outside of large auction houses. When they do appear they are often very expensive. I waited for about 2 1/2 years for a coin like this to show up. As soon as it did I bought it.

    I want to share a quick word about where I bought this coin. It was a purchase from Forum Ancient Coins. Coins are guaranteed authentic for eternity, and the service is second to none. Forum is also an incredible source of information concerning ancient coins. If you have a question about ancient coins, chances are that question has been asked and answered on Forum Ancient Coins. Many experts frequent this site and they are always willing to share their expertise.

    Anyone trying to assemble a set of the 12 Caesars in silver will need to find a denarius or drachm of Gaius. His is one of the most difficult to add along with denarii of Claudius and Otho. It has also been suggested by some that it is the fault of 12 Caesars collectors that drives the prices so high. While true that there is a lot of competition for these coins when they appear, it is also true that there are alternatives to the denarii of Gaius. One popular choice is the Vesta As. These are quite common and can be had in nice condition for reasonable prices. Another option is the coin in the OP.

    On the obverse we have the typical portrait of Gaius, while on the reverse we see a portrait of his great grandfather Augustus. Augustus is depicted as a Divus or god. The reverse legend "Pater Patriae" refers to Augustus as the father of the country. One reason Augustus was on the reverse was to remind the people of Rome of their emperor's connection to the Julio-Claudian ruling dynasty.
     
  6. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Wow, most of us only dream of getting a sliver of his.

    Nice!
     
    Ivo likes this.
  7. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Needs to get expelled from this forum. First coin is a Caligula silver. Show off.

    tenor.gif
     
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  8. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Utterly fantastic!
     
    Ivo likes this.
  9. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Great coin of Gaius (Caligula) - does anyone know if there is a reverse type for Incitatius the horse-made-senator?
     
    Ivo likes this.
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