Roman Silver & Bronze

Lot 3586    Session 12 (11.30am Thursday)    Roman Silver & Bronze

Estimate $1,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $900

GAIUS (CALIGULA), (A.D. 37-41), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 37-38, (25.18 grams), obv. Pietas veiled and draped seated to left, holding a patera, left arm resting on a facing figure draped on basis, around C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS P M TR POT, PIETAS in exergue, dotted border, rev. DIVO AVG over S C across the field, hexastyle garlanded temple, quadriga above, before which is Gaius, veiled and togate, sacrificing with patera over altar, one attendant leads a bull another behind, (cf.S.1802 [£750 VF], RIC 36, BMC 41). Tiber patina, edge flaw at 11.00 on obverse, weak in places, otherwise very fine and rare.

Sear (p.356), comments on this issue noting that there were two temples in Rome honouring the deified Augustus, one on the Palatine, the other of uncertain location, possibly behind the Basilica Julia in the depression between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. The latter, built under Tiberius, was dedicated by Caligula in August A.D. 37, an event commemorated by this elaborate architectural type.