Gaius “Caligula” with Divus Augustus. Silver denarius, Lugdunum, AD 37-38

Gaius “Caligula” with Divus Augustus. Silver denarius, Lugdunum, AD 37-38. 19 mm, 3.66 g, die axis 12 h. Obverse legend C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT COS shows the bare head of Caligula right. Reverse legend DIVVS AVG places the radiate head of the deified Augustus right between two six-pointed stars. References: RIC I 2, RSC 11, BMC 4. Scarce early-reign issue, attractive toning and well-centered portraits. Ex: Spink Inventory 12-8-1959, with old tag.

Struck within months of Caligula’s accession, this coin couples the new emperor with his divine great-grandfather Augustus, underlining the Julio-Claudian lineage that initially won Caligula widespread goodwill. The twenty-five-year-old prince, son of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, began his rule by granting bonuses to the populace and the army, yet an illness late in AD 37 marked a turning point. The next three years saw a slide into autocracy, fiscal excess, and political purges, culminating in his assassination by members of the Praetorian Guard and Senate in January 41. The denarius remains a clear numismatic record of the promise, and swift disillusionment, of his brief reign.