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Gaius (Caligula). AD 37-41. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 28.65 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. C • CAESAR • AVG • GERMANICVS • P • M • TR • POT, PIETAS in exergue, Pietas, veiled and draped, seated left on stool, holding patera in extended left hand and resting right forearm on small draped figure standing facing on basis / DIVO AVG above S C across field, Gaius, toga draped over his head, standing left, holding patera over garlanded altar; victimarius standing facing, holding bull for sacrifice; second attendant standing behind Gaius, holding a patera on either side; garlanded hexastyle temple of Divus Augustus in background, pediment decorated with sacrificial scene; triumphal quadriga and Victories as acroteria, statues of Romulus and Aeneas along roof line. RIC I 36; BMCRE 41-3; BN 51; Elkins, Monuments Figure 70. Brown surfaces, speckled with red and dark green, light smoothing. EF. Well struck with fresh dies.
From the PLZ Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 125 (23 June 2021), lot 625; Ernst Ploil Collection (Part III, Numismatica Ars Classica 101, 24 October 2017), lot 113; Hess-Divo 308 (24 October 2007), lot 148; Tkalec (7 May 2006), lot 131; Triton IX (10 January 2006), lot 1391.
The temple of Divus Augustus was erected on the site of the house that Augustus lived in during his youth located between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. The temple was begun under Tiberius and finally completed in AD 37. Caligula led the dedication of the temple in his role as pontifex maximus. He commemorated the dedication with extravagant events including horse races and a variety of wild animal slaughters. The dedication took place in August, a month by then renamed in honor of Augustus, and culminated on Caligula’s birthday. It was quite the opportunistic timing for the young emperor.
On the offered example, one feature stands out. Almost the entirety of the temple details are present. This is rarely seen for this type as the reverse design often exceeds the borders of the struck examples with detail above the architrave often being mushy or even nonexistent.
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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