COIN (ROMAN)

This coin was found in the same vicinity as a number of provincial tetradachms as well as more recent ethnographic items; the possibility that it may be a recent collector's loss should not be discounted. That this is a rare type may also support this.



A complete copper-alloy sestertius of Gaius Caligula (37-41), dating to AD 37-41 (Reece Period 1) Mint of Rome. RIC I, p. 111, cf. nos. 36, 44 or 51.



Obv. [ ... ], with PIETAS in exergue; Pietas seated left, holding patera with left arm resting on small facing figure.



Rev. DIVO AVG; hexastyle temple surmounted by quadriga, in front of which Gaius sacrifices at altar with patera; one attendant leads a bull to altar, another holds a patera.

Ruler: Caligula
Denomination: Sestertius
Material: Copper alloy
Mint: Rome
Obverse: Pietas, veiled, draped, seated left, holding patera in right hand and resting left arm on a small draped figure, standing on a basis, facing
Obverse legend: Illegible
Reverse: Front view of hexastyle garlanded temple surmounted by quadriga. In front, Caligula, veiled and togate, sacrifices with patera over garlanded altar right; one attendant leads bull to altar right; a second holds patera
Reverse legend: Illegible
Dated: 37.0 to 41.0
Weight (g): 21.57
Diameter (mm): 33.6
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Melchet Park and Plaitford
District: Test Valley
County: Hampshire
Region: South East
Discovery method: Metal detector
Notes: 
This coin was found in the same vicinity as a number of provincial tetradachms as well as more recent ethnographic items; the possibility that it may be a recent collector's loss should not be discounted. That this is a rare type may also support this.