CNG Mail Bid Sale 57, Closed April 4th, 2001
      Lot number: 1058

      Estimate $20000. Price realized: 12000 USD

      GAIUS CALIGULA & DIVUS AUGUSTUS. 37-41 AD. AV Aureus (7.64 gm). Struck 37 
      AD. Lugdunum mint. Bare head of Caligula right / Radiate head of Augustus 
      right between two stars. RIC I 1; BMCRE 1; Cohen 10. Good VF. ($20,000) At 
      the age of 25, Gaius, the youngest son of Germanicus and Agrippina Senior, 
      became emperor. Not having the experience or military prestige to ensure 
      his elevation, Gaius had to rely on the principle of dynastic loyalty to 
      win the support of the military and people of Rome. Accordingly, many of 
      his coins concentrate on the dynastic theme, and the first type of the new 
      reign draws attention to his relationship to the founder of the empire, 
      his great-grandfather Augustus.

Re-used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com