First Adlocutio Issue

Sale: CNG 76, Lot: 1380. Estimate $7500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007.  Sold For $4500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (25.74 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. Laureate head left / Gaius standing left on daïs with camp chair behind, addressing five soldiers standing right, holding parazonia and shields; four aquilae behind. RIC I 32. Near EF, untouched two-tone green patina, minor areas of pitting. Wonderful detail.

Before a battle, or on parade, the emperor would address his troops in an event known as an adlocutio cohortium (address to the cohorts). This was an important opportunity for the emperor to be present among his troops and inspire morale. This sestertius was issued on the occasion of a donative for the Praetorian Guard and was the first to employ the adlocutio as a reverse type.