Dig4Coins

The ancient Roman coins minted during the reign of Caligula included such denominations as: sestertius, quadrans, and as[⁸⁶⁵].

Sestertius (AD 37 to 38)

The obverse[¹⁰⁸⁴] of this Roman coin features a laureate head of Gaius, surrounded by a legend that reads C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR P. Coins' reverse[¹¹³⁹] depicts Gaius, who stands to gate on a low platform, extending his right hand in gesture of address. Behind Gaius there's a chair (sella castrensis). In front of him there are five soldiers, all of them being helmeted and carrying shields and military standards. Above there's an inscription that reads ADLOCVT and below there's COH.

Historians believe that this particular ancient Roman coin was struck to mark the accession of Gaius to the throne as well as his speak to the Praetorian cohorts. The obverse of sestertius illustrated Gaius wearing a laurel crown. It is worth mentioning that such cloth accessory was typical for a Roman emperor. The image of Gaius is encircled by a shortened legend that reads Caius CAESAR AVGustus GERMANICVS PONtifex Maximus TRibunicia Potestas.

Coin's reverse shows the Roman emperor wearing a toga. Caligula stands on a platform facing a curule chair, which was kept for superior magistrates. The right hand of the emperor is raised in gesture towards five Roman soldiers. The latter are helmeted and carry military standards. The soldiers represent Praetorian cohorts. They served as state guards. The abbreviated inscription reads ADLOCVTio COHortium, which is Latin for "Speech to the Cohorts." Caligula addressed these warriors upon assuming power because they were the ones to pronounce Gaius the emperor of Rome.

Caligula also paid each Praetorian Guard 1,000 sesterces that the former Roman emperor, Tiberius, left them in his will. However, Cassius Dio states that a generous amount was offered to them out of Caligula's pocket, probably with the aim of keeping their loyalty. Because the Praetorian Guard received his salary in sesterces, this particular Roman coin was probably paid to those who took part in the Praetorian Guard. This is proved by the theme on the coin that focuses on Caligula's speech to them.

Quadrans (AD 39)

The obverse of this ancient Roman coin depicts the cap of liberty found between S C surrounded by the legend C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG. The reverse features a large inscription RCC found in center and surrounded by a legend that reads PON M TR P III P P COS DES III.

It is known that the Roman emperor, Caligula, had little success in controlling the state's finances. The theme of this quadrans refers to the abolishment of a tax by Caligula. This tax was set by Tiberius, who wanted to create a treasury, which has been entirely exhausted after a series of civil wars that occurred before Augustus came to rule the Roman Empire.

Coin's obverse includes the image of the cap of liberty, which alleges to the removal of the tax in 38 AD and the release of people from its burden. The position of the cap is between the legend that reads Senatus Consulto, which is surrounded by Caius CAESAR DIVI AVGusti PRONepos AVGustus, meaning "Gaius Caesar Augustus, great grandson of the Deified Augustus."

Coin's reverse shows the abbreviation R CC, meaning Remissa Ducentissima, a Latin expression that means "The tax having been dismissed." The abbreviation is surrounded by the legend PONtifex Maximus TRibunicia Potestate III Pater Patriae COnSul DESignatus III that alleges to Caligula as the main priest, holder of the tribunician power for the 3^rd year, father of his state, as well as consul elect for the 3^rd time.

As (AD 39 to 40)

The obverse of the coin depicts the head of Germanicus. The head is surrounded by the legend GERMANICVS CAESAR TI AVG FDIVI AVG N. Coin's reverse shows the large S C that are encircled by C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRON AVG P M TR POTIII P P.

It is worth mentioning that this Roman coin was minted during the reign of Caligula to commemorate Germanicus, Gaius' father. It is known that Gaius spent his early months of rule promoting the remembrance of his family. Germanicus, Caligula's father, was the son of Drusus, who was the brother of Roman Emperor Tiberius. Germanicus was adopted by Tiberius in 4^th century AD under the orders of Augustus. The latter was Tiberius' stepfather.

Germanis proved to be a great military leader. He was the one to gain victory over the German, Arminius, and his army that earlier destroyed three Roman legions in the battle that took place in the 9^th century AD in the forests of Germany. His wife was Agrippina, who was the daughter of Agrippa and Julia. They had nine children and one of them was Gaius. The sudden death of Germanicus is believed to be caused by poisoning.

The obverse of the ancient Roman coin illustrates the head of Germanicus surrounded by GERMANICVS CAESAR TIiberii AVGusti Filius DIVI AVGusti Nepos, which is Latin for "Germanicus Caesar, son of Tiberius Augustus, grandson of the Deified Augustus." The reverse of this as alleges to Gaius with the legend that states Senatus Consulto, which is encircled by Caius CAESAR DIVI AVGusti PRONepos AVGustus Pontifex Maximus TRibunicia Potestate III Pater Patriae, alleging to Caligula as the great-grandson of the Divine Augustus.