Silver Denarius of Caligula, 3.80 g.
Title
Silver Denarius of Caligula, 3.80 g.
Creator
Caligula
Date
40 CE
Description
Obverse: Laureate head of Caligula. C(AIVS) CAESAR AVG(VSTVS) PON(TIFEX) M(AXIMVS) TR(IBUNICIA) POT(ESTATE) III CO(N)S(VL) III: Gaius Caesar Augustus, pontifex maximus, with tribunician power for the third time, consul for the third time.
Reverse: Radiate head of Augustus, DIVVS AVG(VSTVS) PATER PATRIAE: Divine Augustus, father of the country
Style/Period: Early Roman Empire
The obverse of this coin depicts a laureate head of the emperor Caligula. The laurel was a symbol of victory, often awarded to emperors. The inscription around lists several of Caligula’s titles, including pontifex maximus, the chief priest of Rome, TR POT, “with tribunician power,” which indicated that Caligula had the power of the tribune, a Republican office inherited by the emperor. The coin indicates that Caligula received this title for the third time. It also lists consul, the highest political office in Rome, which he also received for the third time. This allows this coin to be dated to 40 CE, as Caligula rose to power and took the consulship for the first time in 37 CE. Caligula adopts the idealized, youthful portrait type of Augustus, in order to associate himself with his maternal great-grandfather.
The reverse depicts a radiate head of the Divine Augustus. The radiate crown was worn by the sun god Sol and was used to mark divinity on coins. The head is typical of portraits of Augustus, showing him as youthful and with his characteristic locks falling onto his forehead. The inscription lists one of Augustus’s titles, pater patriae, meaning father of the country, which he received in 2 BCE.
-- Anna Vogel, LU `18
Bibliography: N. H. and A. Ramage, Roman Art: Romulus to Constantine, 5th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ 2009), 124-129; S. Hornblower and A. Spawforth, eds., The Oxford Classical Dictionary (Oxford 1996), s.v. Augustus, Gaius (1); J. M. Jones, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (London 1990), s.v. consul, laurel, tribunus, pater; C.H.V. Sutherland and R.A.G. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1 (London 1984), 109.
The reverse depicts a radiate head of the Divine Augustus. The radiate crown was worn by the sun god Sol and was used to mark divinity on coins. The head is typical of portraits of Augustus, showing him as youthful and with his characteristic locks falling onto his forehead. The inscription lists one of Augustus’s titles, pater patriae, meaning father of the country, which he received in 2 BCE.
-- Anna Vogel, LU `18
Bibliography: N. H. and A. Ramage, Roman Art: Romulus to Constantine, 5th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ 2009), 124-129; S. Hornblower and A. Spawforth, eds., The Oxford Classical Dictionary (Oxford 1996), s.v. Augustus, Gaius (1); J. M. Jones, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (London 1990), s.v. consul, laurel, tribunus, pater; C.H.V. Sutherland and R.A.G. Carson, The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1 (London 1984), 109.
Source
Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Edward Gans, January 1959.
Identifier
91.125
Rights
Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890
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Files
Citation
Caligula, “Silver Denarius of Caligula, 3.80 g.,” Lawrence University Classics Department & Ottilia Buerger Coin Collections, accessed November 5, 2026, https://thor.lawrence.edu/omeka/buerger/items/show/567.