Gaius (Caligula), AE As, Rome Mint, Circa 37/8 AD – Vesta

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Description

Roman Imperial, Gaius (Caligula), AE As (copper, 10.1g, 28.4mm), Rome Mint, Circa 37/8 AD
Obv: C•CAESAR•AVG•GERMANICVS•PON•M•TR•POT Bare head of Gaius to left
Rev: VESTA / S – C; Vesta, veiled, seated left on ornamented throne, holding patera in her right hand and long scepter in her left
Ref: RIC II 38; BMC 45; Cohen 27 Rarity/Choice: Common, aEF (virtually as struck, attractive green patina struck on broad flan, minor roughness and smoothing)
Note: Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, commonly known as Caligula, was the third Roman emperor, ruling from AD 37 to 41. Caligula was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and is often remembered for his eccentricity and the tyrannical aspects of his rule. Despite a promising start, his reign quickly descended into a notorious period of extravagance and cruelty, leading to his assassination by his own guards. The As of Caligula is an excellent example of how Roman coinage was used for political and propagandistic purposes. The depiction of Caligula with a bare head on the obverse emphasizes his personal image and authority. The choice of Vesta on the reverse serves to reinforce the connection to Roman religious traditions and the stability of the state, which was crucial during a time of perceived instability under Caligula’s rule. In Summary the As of Caligula is a notable artifact from a tumultuous period in Roman history.

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