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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Finn235, post: 3941045, member: 98035&quot;]After a gruelling wait, customs finally saw fit to release one of my &quot;white whale&quot; coins for my Roman portrait collection!</p><p><br /></p><p>Lucius Caesar</p><p>Died 2 AD</p><p>AE14 of Caria, Antioch ad Meandrum</p><p>ΛEYKIOC KAICAP, bare head right</p><p>A-N/T-I around winged caduceus, all within wreath</p><p>Erroneously attributed as RPC I supp. 5478 (Augustus)</p><p>(Example of RPC 5478: <a href="https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&amp;sid=2935&amp;lot=196" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&amp;sid=2935&amp;lot=196" rel="nofollow">https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&amp;sid=2935&amp;lot=196</a>)</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1038855[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>While the ill-fated Lucius is certainly no stranger to ancient coins, portrait coins are restricted to provincial issues only, and issues <b>only</b> in the name of Lucius Caesar are very rare, restricted to just a few types and perhaps only a few hundred extant examples across those types.</p><p><br /></p><p>Historically, there is extremely little to say about Lucius. Born in 17 BC to Agrippa and Julia the Elder, Lucius was the second-born biological grandson of Augustus after his other brother Gaius. Apparently wishing his empire to be inherited by two young men groomed for the purpose rather than old politicians with their own memories of the Republic, Augustus adopted both Gaius and Lucius as his own sons soon after Lucius was born, and personally oversaw their upbringing, intent to have them ready to take on political responsibility as soon as they were ready. Gaius proceeded through the Cursus Honorium and was deployed to the East to gain experience in military leadership and diplomacy. Lucius followed shortly behind, and in 2 AD he was sent west to train in Hispania, but fell ill and died en route, aged only 19. Gaius died a year and a half later when he failed to recover from an assassination attempt. Their unexpected deaths sent the empire topsy-turvy and ultimately led to Augustus selecting Tiberius as his last-ditch choice.</p><p><br /></p><p>I tried a number of queries, but I can&#039;t find another example of this coin anywhere. I would welcome any insights if there is a key word I am missing!</p><p><br /></p><p>As always, feel free to post any coins you have of either ill-fated brother![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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