63 | Roman Empire

Automatically generated translation

CALIGULA. Sesterce. (Ae. 26.68g / 34mm). 37-38 AD Rome. Anv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT. Laureate bust of Caligula on the left. Rev: SPQR PP OB CIVES SERVATOS. Legend within laurea. (RIC 37). XF. Retouched. Specimen very well centered, scarce as well.

Despite his short tenure, ruling only four years, Caligula has the dubious honor, probably alongside Nero, of being one of the most ruthless and cruel emperors in the entire Empire. Paradoxically, his numismatics is of singular importance since from the iconographic point of view it exerted a clear influence on later reigns. The fact of representing a good part of his family on their coins (his father Germanicus or his mother Agrippina the eldest, for example) translates into an attempt to legitimize, through these, his place on the imperial throne and not so much, as many times you can think of a tribute to their parents.