TheNewYorkSaleauctionXL

Lovely Sestertius of the Sons of Drusus, AD 23

1202

Drusus, son of Tiberius, AD 23. AE Sestertius (25.87g). Mint of Rome, AD 23. No legend, caduceus

between two crossed cornuacopia, each surmounted by the bust of one of the twin sons of Drusus,

Tiberius Gemellus and Germanicus. Rev. DRVS VS CAESAR TI AVG F DIVI AVG N PONT TR POT II

around large SC (RIC (Tiberius) 42; BMC 95; C 1). Sharp portraits, with handsome deep olive green patina,

some light smoothing in fields. Nearly extremely fine.

$ 3,000

This issue commemorates the birth of the twin sons of Drusus Caesar and Livia Drusilla. AlthoughTiberius Gemellus was considered

as a potential heir to Tiberius, he was murdered by his cousin Caligula.

Outstanding Silver Denrius of Caligula with Germanicus

1203

Gaius Caligula, with Germanicus. Silver Denarius (4.00 g), AD 37-41. Lugdunum, AD 37/8. C CAESAR

AVG GERM P M TR POT, laureate head of Gaius right. Rev. GERMANICVS CAES P C CAES AVG

GERM, bare head of Germanicus right. (RIC 18; Lyon 172; BMC 19; RSC 2). Nice old cabinet toning.

Extremely fine.

$ 9,500

ex Leu 71 (24 October 1997), lot 301

ex J. C. S. Rashleigh Collection (Glendining’s, 14 January 1953), lot 484.

Germanicus was the son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia, the daughter of Mark Antony, and was born in 15 BC. A scion

of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, he also became one of Rome’s most successful and beloved generals, having avenged Varus’ defeat

at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, retrieving two of the three lost standards and inflicting heavy defeats against Arminius, the

protagonist in Varus campaign. He was not as successful in the field of politics, however, having inadvertently usurped the imperial

prerogative on more than one occasion. The most egregious instance was his ordering the recall of the governor of Syria, Gnaeus

Calpurnius Piso, for having canceled some of the arrangements for the settlement of Cappadocia and Commagene that Germanicus

had ordered. Shortly after this episode, Germanicus fell severely ill and died at Antioch. Suspicion immediately fell on Piso, and it

was thought that he had poisoned Germanicus at the instigation of Tiberius who was suspicious of Germanicus’ popularity. The

truth was never discovered, however, as Piso reportedly took his own life during the course of his trial (Tacitus believed Tiberius may

have had him murdered before he could implicate the emperor in Germanicus’ death).