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Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (34.5mm, 28.88 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. C • CAESAR • AVG • GERMANICVS • PON • M • TR • POT •, laureate head left / ADLOCVT above, COH in exergue, Gaius, bareheaded and togate, standing left on daïs, extending right hand in gesture of address; behind him a sella castrensis (chair); in front of him stand five soldiers right, all helmeted, holding shields, and parazonia; four aquilae behind them. RIC I 32; BMCRE 33-35; BN 45-46. Gently smoothed in the fields. Near EF. Attractive green patina.
From the PLZ Collection. Ex Paulo Leitão Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 59, 4 April 2011), lot 910; Luc Giard Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 54, 24 March 2010), lot 330; Numismatica Ars Classica 23 (19 March 2002), lot 1487.
The first Ad Locutio delivered by a Roman emperor, I can only imagine what the troops were thinking. (PLZ)
Gaius “Caligula” here fulfills the role of imperial innovator, minting the first example of a coin type that would be repeated, in variant forms, for the next three centuries. The reverse type displayed on this issue portrays an event known as an adlocutio cohortium (address to the cohorts). Caligula is shown standing on a platform, dressed in a civilian toga, his hand extended in a classic oratorical pose. Arrayed before him are five soldiers in close file, dressed in full armor complete with plumed helmets, representing a large formation arrayed in ranks. Four Aquilae, or eagles, are depicted, no doubt held by standard bearers in adjoining ranks. The troops are undoubtedly the Praetorian Guard, as confirmed by a remarkable detail on this beautifully preserved sestertius: The rear soldier’s rectangular shield, angled toward the viewer, is clearly emblazoned with a scorpion, the natal sign of Tiberius, regarded as a second founder of the Praetorians for building their imposing camp within the city. The scorpion is known to have been subsequently adopted by the Praetorian cohorts as their shield blazon.
Caligula’s oration is probably thanking the Praetorians for their support, and likely promising them a sizeable bonus. In fact, without the support of the guard and their prefect, Macro, it is unlikely Caligula would have ever gained the purple. Also interesting on this reverse is the lack of the “S C” legend which, at least in name, would indicate the senate was in approval of the coin issuance. Perhaps as a direct slight to them, this coin was issued under authority of the emperor alone.
The coin offered here is certainly in the top tier of survivors for this issue. The portrait is wonderful and the reverse composition shows a die clearly created by a master of the mint. This is the finest example to appear on the market in more than a dozen years.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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