The question which has baffled numismatists for centuries

by Max Paschall

In the year of 17 B.C. a series of silver denarii, the main denomination of coinage at the time, was minted to commemorate the Ludi Saeculares, a famous series of games held every few years. On the obverse of this denarius was placed a youthful portrait with an oak wreath as a border and the inscription of CAESAR below the bust. On the reverse was rendered a Candelabrum with ram heads protruding from the sides of it and the inscription AVGVST(us). For many years the portrait on the obverse was thought to be of Gaius (or Caius) until RIC came out where Mattingly proposed that this was not the portrait of Gaius, but instead that of Augustus. As he brought out much evidence more and more numismatists started sharing his views. But David R. Sear also had evidence to prove Mattingly wrong and went back to the original theory with convincing information which lead many collectors and dealers to believe him and catalogue their coins as Gaius. But there are other big names on either side as well including Van Meter (who believes the coin is of Caius), and Vagi (who stands by his belief of the coin is Augustus), and others.

The Ludi Saeculares, or Secular Games, were traditionally held every 100 years, but this tradition broke during the empire when the time between different Secular games could be anywhere from 64 – 118 years apart, or more depending on political problems, and public feeling. And in 17 B.C. Augustus and his right hand general Agrippa hosted the games which consisted of sacrifices, chariot races, and all sorts of fun stuff!

But 17 B.C. was also the year when Gaius’s brother, Lucius was born and the same year that Augustus adopted them both as heirs. Gaius had been born in 20 B.C. and was only 3 years old when he became heir-apparent. He and Lucius were both sons of Julia, daughter of Augustus, and Agrippa, Augustus’s favorite and best general. Sear claims also that this denarius bears resemblance to other coins commemorating the Ludi Saeculares.

Gaius and Lucius are also pictured with their mother Julia on a denarius minted by Augustus. This coin is of exceptional rarity because when Julia had affairs with many people she was banished to an island and most of her coins were melted down in essentially a damnatio memoriae.

According to Sear, the presence of the title CAESAR refers to Gaius’s status as heir to the throne, those of which who were heirs in Rome were given the title CAESAR. And those who were emperor were given the title of AUGUSTUS.

Despite this coin’s history and interest, it is very rare, and even more expensive (into the thousands for an almost decent example). But until there is definitive proof of this coin bearing the portrait of either Gaius or Augustus I do not think we will resolve the conflict of this denarius.

1. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, by David L. Vagi, Vol. I and II, 1999

2. Historia Numismata, Pegasi Numismatics, Buy or Bid Sale 124

3. Roman Coins and Their Values, by David R. Sear, The Millennium Edition, Vol. I

4. The Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins, by David Van Meter, 2000 reprint

5. http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/ludisae2.html