426, Lot: 483. Estimate $200. Sold for $170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (35.2mm, 25.10 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 39-40. Laureate head left / [A]DLOCVT above, [CO]H in exergue, Gaius, bareheaded and togate, standing left on daïs, addressing five soldiers standing right; sella castrensis to right. RIC I 40. Near Fine, rough brown surfaces with touches of red.

From the Collection of a Texas Wine Doctor, purchased from Marshall Field’s, 22 November 1966.

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 to 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.