Gaius Caesar (20 BC-AD 4). AR denarius (3.73 gm)

Gaius Caesar (20 BC-AD 4). AR denarius (3.73 gm) (image 1/2)
Gaius Caesar (20 BC-AD 4). AR denarius (3.73 gm) (image 2/2)
Pricing & History
Gaius Caesar (20 BC-AD 4). AR denarius (3.73 gm). Uncertain mint, ca. 17 BC. CAESAR, bare youthful head of Gaius Caesar right, within laurel wreath / AVGVSTVS, candelabrum in wreath, patera to right. RIC 540. BN 1013. Rare. Nearly extremely fine.Although some numismatic scholars have reattributed this rare type to Augustus himself, the portrait is clearly not that of Augustus as he appeared in 17 BC, about the time this coin was struck at an uncertain mint in Roman Achaia or Asia. The portrait is that of a pre-adolescent boy, and suggestions that this merely represents a "rejuvenated" Augustus are unsupported by any real evidence. The type does seem connected to the Ludi Saeculares of 17 BC, the year in which Augustus officially adopted Gaius and his newborn brother, so identifying the youthful portrait as that of the newly named successor remains the most plausible attribution. Grade: 0, Service: Uncertified, Service No.: 661000, Issue Date: 1000, Denomination: MS
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