Indice Dietro Avanti
Caligola e le tre sorelle
27.11.2015
Egregio sig. Giulio De Florio,
vedendo internet e sue perizie, Le chiedo gentilmente una consulenza su questa moneta di Gaio e le tre sorelle,
foratura originale,
peso 26g circa,
diametro 36mm,
testata con una calamita: non ferromagnetica,
materiale bronzo, forse argentato.
Quanto può valere ? Il foro la rende più commerciale perché è più rara?
La ringrazio vivamente, resto a Sua disposizione.
Distinti saluti.
fig. 1
Cliccare sulle immagini per ingrandire
Roma, 3.12.2015
Egregio Lettore,
di seguito riporto gli elementi significativi pertinenti alla moneta di figura:

Sesterzio1, zecca di Roma, 37-38 d. C. 2, RIC I 33 (pag. 110), BMC I 37 (pag. 152), Cohen I 4 (pag. 237), indice di rarità "R"

Descrizione sommaria (sono indicate in rosso le parti della leggenda usurate o comunque non più leggibili):
D. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT3. Caligola, testa laureata a sinistra.
R. AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA, leggenda, rispettivamente, a sinistra, in alto e a destra. S C in esergo. Le sorelle di Gaio, stanti di fronte, a sinistra Agrippina, nei panni della Securitas, testa a destra, braccio appoggiato ad una colonna, sorregge con la mano destra una cornucopia, mano sinistra sulla spalla di Drusilla; quest'ultima, testa a sinistra, nei panni della Concordia, sorregge patera e cornucopia; Giulia, testa a sinistra, nei panni della Fortuna, sorregge il timone e la cornucopia.4

La ricerca nel web di monete della tipologia di figura ha prodotto i seguenti risultati:

  1. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=584074 Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG http://www.arsclassicacoins.com/ Auction 51 179 (« | ») 5. March 2009 Result 460'000SF Description: Auction 51 Part I The Roman Empire Gaius, 37 – 41 Sestertius circa 37-38, Æ 27.67 g. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Laureate bust l. Rev. AGRIPPINA - DRVSILLA - IVLIA The sisters of Gaius standing facing: Agrippina, as Securitas, holds cornucopiae in r. hand resting on column, with l. hand on shoulder of Drusilla, as Concordia, who holds patera and cornucopiae; Julia, as Fortuna, holds rudder and cornucopiae. In exergue, S C. C 4. BMC 37. RIC 33. CBN 48. Kent-Hirmer pl. 48, 167. Very rare, undoubtedly the finest specimen known and one of the best Roman bronzes in existence. A magnificent portrait of Gaius in the finest style of the period, perfectly struck in high relief with an enchanting untouched brown patina, Fdc From the William James Conte collection. Many aspects of Caligula’s reign have captured the imagination of historians, but the sexual relationships he is said to have pursued with his sisters is perhaps most shocking of all. It is on par with the exploits of Elagabalus or the alleged seduction of young Nero by his deranged mother Agrippina Jr., who, by no mere coincidence, was one of Caligula’s sisters. Caligula’s incestuous relationships with his sisters are alleged by the relatively contemporary historians Suetonius and Josephus. Much later, in the fourth and fifth centuries, these original claims were echoed by various writers, including Eutropius, Aurelius Victor, St. Jerome, Orosius and the anonymous compiler of the Epitome de caesaribus. The truth of the claims, of course, is impossible to confirm, and there is a healthy dose of skepticism among modern scholars. Whatever personal or sexual affection Caligula may have felt toward his sisters, this coinage is purely political and dynastic in flavour. His sisters are each named and are shown in the guise of personifications: the eldest, Agrippina Junior, as Securitas, the middle-sister, Drusilla, as Concordia, and the youngest, Julia Livilla, as Fortuna. This remarkable type was produced on two occasions, his initial coinage of 37-38, and again in 39-40. The example offered here belongs to the first coinage, which was issued when all three of the imperial women were alive. Drusilla, Caligula’s favourite sister (and the one with whom he is said to have had an enduring incestuous relationship), died tragically on June 10, 38, nearly three months after the last coins of the initial issue were struck. By the time the last issue was produced (beginning March 18, 39), Drusilla had been accorded the status of a goddess, providing the curious circumstance of a goddess being portrayed in the guise of a personification. Life in the palace worsened after Drusilla’s death and Caligula’s affection for his remaining two sisters declined. The circumstances reported by the ancient sources are nothing short of bizarre: Drusilla had been married to Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, who had also been Caligula’s lover. At least after Drusilla died, Lepidus extended his sexual liaisons to include Agrippina and Julia Livilla, his former sisters-in-law. By late in 39 this web of relationships seems to have evolved into a failed plot by Lepidus against Caligula, who executed Lepidus and sent his two sisters into exile out of their suspected complicity. All of this palace intrigue occurred in the midst of the second issue of ‘three sisters’ sestertii, the production of which Caligula probably halted immediately since of the three sisters shown, one was dead and two were in exile for having plotted against his life. This coin featured on a former NAC christmas card. Estimate: 200000 CHF.
  2. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1739487 Gitbud & Naumann https://www.gitbud-naumann.de/ Auction 9 428 (« | ») 3. November 2013 Estimate 7'000€ Description: CALIGULA (37-41). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANIVCVS PON M TR POT. Laureate head left. Rev: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA / S C. Gaius' three sisters standing facing: Agrippina (as Securitas) leaning on column, holding cornucopia, and placing hand on Drusilla (as Concordia), holding patera and cornucopia; on right, Julia (as Fortuna) holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC 33. Condition: Very fine; smoothed reverse. Weight: 26.4g Diameter: 31.5mm.
  3. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1905784 Gitbud & Naumann https://www.gitbud-naumann.de/ Auction 15 567 (« | ») 6. April 2014 Estimate 500€, Result 1'500€ Description CALIGULA (37-41). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERMANIVCVS PON M TR POT. Laureate head left. Rev: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA / S C. Gaius' three sisters standing facing: Agrippina (as Securitas) leaning on column, holding cornucopia, and placing hand on Drusilla (as Concordia), holding patera and cornucopia; on right, Julia (as Fortuna) holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC 33. Condition: Very fine. Weight: 27.3g, Diameter: 36mm.
  4. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=67158 Numismatik Lanz München http://www.numislanz.de/ Auction 94 193 (« | ») 22. November 1999 Result 15'500DEM
    Description: CALIGULA (37 - 41 n. Chr.) No: 193 Schätzpreis/Estimation DM 18000. d=48 mm. Sesterz, 37 - 38. C · CAESAR · AVG · GERMANICVS · PON · M · TR · POT · . Kopf des Caligula mit Lorbeerkranz links. Rs: AGRIPPINA - DRVSILLA - IVLIA / S · C. Die drei Schwestern des Caligula nebeneinander en face: Agrippina als Securitas, den Kopf nach rechts gewandt, im rechten Arm ein auf eine Säule gesetztes Füllhorn haltend und ihre Linke auf die Schulter ihrer Schwester gelegt; in der Mitte Drusilla als Concordia mit Patera in der Rechten und Füllhorn im linken Arm, den Kopf nach links gewandt wie Iulia als Fortuna, die in der Rechten ein Steuerruder und im linken Arm ein Füllhorn hält. RIC 33. C. 4. BMC 36. CBN 49. MIR 8-4. 25,63 g. Selten. Sehr gutes Portrait, gelbbraune Patina, fast vorzüglich / vorzüglich. über das Verhältnis des Caligula zu seinen Schwestern Drusilla, Iulia und Agrippina berichtet Sueton: Mit all seinen Schwestern trieb Caligula Unzucht und ließ sie vor aller Welt beim Essen eine nach der anderen neben sich sitzen, während seine Gattin auf seiner andern Seite ihren Platz hatte. Man nimmt an, daß er, noch im Knabenalter, Drusilla, eine seiner Schwestern, verführt hat und einmal in ihren Armen von seiner Großmutter Antonia, bei der sie beide erzogen wurden, ertappt worden ist. Später heiratete diese den ehemaligen Konsul Lucius Cassius Longinus. Caligula nahm sie dann diesem wieder weg und behandelte sie öffentlich wie seine legitime Gattin. Als er krank wurde, setzte er sie sogar als Erbin und Nachfolgerin ein. Nach ihrem Tod ordnete er allgemeinen Stillstand der Geschäfte an, und es war bei Todesstrafe verboten, während dieser Zeit zu lachen, zu baden und mit Eltern, Frau oder Kindern gemeinsam zu essen (. . .). Später legte er nie mehr, selbst bei den wichtigsten Angelegenheiten (. . .) einen Eid ab, ohne bei der ,Gottheit der Drusilla` zu schwören. Seine andern Schwestern liebte er nicht mit gleicher Leidenschaft, noch bedachte er sie mit gleichen Ehren." (Caligula 24). In der Tat wurden Iulia und Agrippina 39 n. Chr. von Caligula vom Hof verbannt, wohl weil sie in eine Verschwörung gegen ihn verwickelt waren, während Drusilla nach ihrem Tod im Jahr zuvor als Panthea konsekriert wurde.
  5. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=207617 Gemini, LLC http://www.geminiauction.com/ Auction I 311 (« | ») 11. January 2005 Result 4'000$ Description: Caligula (AD 37-41). Orichalcum sestertius (27.92 gm). Rome, AD 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, laureate head left / AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA S C, Caligula's three sisters with the attributes of Securitas, Concordia, and Fortuna: Agrippina leaning on column, holding cornucopia, and placing left hand on Drusilla's shoulder; Drusilla holding patera and cornucopia; Julia holding rudder and cornucopia. BMCRE 36. CBN 47, pl. xiii (same reverse die). Cohen 4. RIC 33. Well pedigreed but rather tooled. Extremely fine Ex Garrett Collection (NFA-Bank Leu, Part I, 16-18 May 1984, lot 727); M. Schulman (11/28); Hennessy Collection, Paris. Estimate: $3750.
  6. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2634330 Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger http://www.coinhirsch.de/ Auction 313 2057 (« | ») 23. September 2015 Estimate 7'500€, Result 6'000€ Description: RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN, RÖMISCHES KAISERREICH CALIGULA. 37-41, Sesterz. 37/38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Belorbeerter Kopf l. Rs: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA Die 3 Schwestern des Kaisers stehen jeweils ein Füllhorn haltend in der Pose von Göttinnen nebeneinander: Agrippina als Securitas auf Säule gestützt, Drusilla als Concordia mit Patera und Iulia Livilla mit Steuerruder als Fortuna. C. 4. R.I.C. 33. 27.65g, Schöne hellbraune Patina. R vz. Ex NAC 2, 1990, Los Nr. 543. Die Ehrung seiner Verwandten spielte in der Münzprägung des Caligula eine herausragende Rolle. Eines der schönsten Beispiele dafür ist die Darstellung seiner Schwestern als Göttinnen. Drusilla verstarb bereits 38 n. Chr., Iulia Livilla wurde später von Caligula verbannt, unter Claudius zunächst begnadigt, dann aber wieder verbannt und kurz darauf getötet. Agrippina Minor heiratete später ihren Onkel Claudius und sicherte für ihren Sohn Nero den Kaiserthron.
  7. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2016372 Numismatik Lanz München http://www.numislanz.de/ Auction 158 480 (« | ») 5. June 2014 Estimate 5'000€, Result 8'000€ Description: RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN KAISERREICH CALIGULA (37 - 41) Sesterz, 37 - 38, Rom. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz nach rechts. Rs: AGRIPPINA - DRVSILLA - IVLIA / S C, die drei Schwestern des Caligula nebeneinander en face stehend: Agrippina als Securitas mit Füllhorn, auf eine Säule gestützt und den Kopf nach rechts gewandt, Drusilla als Concordia mit Patera und Füllhorn sowie Iulia als Fortuna mit Steuerruder und Füllhorn, beide den Kopf nach links gewandt. RIC 33; C. 4; BMC 36. 26,37g. Selten. Vorzüglich.
  8. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2529433 Obolos (by Nomos) http://www.nomosag.ch/default.aspx?page=ucWebAuctions Webauction 2 222 (« | ») 14. June 2015 Result 3'600SF Description: Gaius (Caligula), 37-41. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34mm, 25.19 g 7), Rome, 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Laureate head of Gaius to left. Rev. AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA / S C Gaius' three sisters standing facing; Agrippina on the left as Securitas, her head turned to right, holding cornucopiae with her right hand and leaning on a column; Drusilla in the middle as Concordia, her head turned to left, holding patera in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left; Julia on the right as Fortuna, her head turned to left, holding rudder in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. BMC 37. BN 47. Cohen 4. RIC 33. Rare. Metal flaw on the obverse and somewhat smoothed, otherwise , very fine. From the GH Collection, and from the collection of Dr. F. Pipito, Superior Galleries 12-14 December 1987, 916.
  9. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=862573 Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung http://www.gmcoinart.de/ Auction 191 2044 (« | ») 11. October 2010 Description: RÖMISCHE KAISERZEIT Caligula, 37 - 41 n. Chr. Sesterz 37 - 38 n. Chr. Rom. 25.46 g. Vs.: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz n. l. Rs.: AGRIPPINA / DRVSILLA / IVLIA / S C, von l. n. r. Agrippina mit Füllhorn, Arm auf Säule, als Securitas, Drusilla mit Füllhorn u. Patera als Concordia u. Iulia mit Füllhorn u. Ruder als Fortuna. RIC 33; C. 4; BMC 36; BN 47. Grüne Patina, Inschriften auf Rs. etwas nachgraviert, ss.
  10. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=26894 Forvm Ancient Coins http://www.forumancientcoins.com/ Description: Caligula, 16 March 37 - 24 January 41 A.D.
    The first Rome mint portrait sestertius. 32176. Orichalcum sestertius, SRCV I 1800, RIC I 33, Cohen 4, aVF, Rome mint, 24.043g, 36.5mm, 180°, 37 - 38 A.D.; obverse C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, laureate head left; reverse AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA S C, the three sisters of Caligula standing, in the guises of Securitas, Concordia and Fortuna; full circles strike, ex CNG e-sale 11/07 lot 220; rare; SOLD.
  11. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1211553 Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung http://www.gmcoinart.de/ Auction 204 2090 (« | ») 5. March 2012 Estimate 1'700€, Result 1'600€, Description: RÖMISCHE KAISERZEIT Caligula, 37 - 41 n. Chr. AE Sesterz (26,92g). 37 - 38 n. Chr. Mzst. Rom. Vs.: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz n. l. Rs.: AGRIPPINA / DRVSILLA / IVLIA / S C, von l. n. r. Agrippina mit Füllhorn, Arm auf Säule, als Securitas, Drusilla mit Füllhorn u. Patera als Concordia u. Iulia mit Füllhorn u. Ruder als Fortuna. RIC 33; C. 4; BMC 36; BN 47. RR! Dunkelbraune Patina, ss Ex Henzen 15, 2003, 73.
  12. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=313573 Freeman & Sear http://www.freemanandsear.com/ Mail Bid Sale 13 396 (« | ») 25. August 2006 Description:
    ROMAN EMPIRE. Caligula (AD 37–41). Æ sestertius (27.41 gm). Rome, AD 37–38. C. CAESAR. AVG. GERMANICVS. PON. M. TR. POT, laureate head of Caligula left / AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA S C, Caligula’s three sisters standing facing: from left to right, Agrippina as Securitas, holding cornucopia and resting on column; Drusilla as Concordia, holding patera and cornucopia; and Julia as Fortuna, holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC 33. BMCRE 36. Cohen 4. RCTV 1800 (this coin photographed). A pleasing example of this scarce type. Red-brown patina, lightly smoothed. Good very fine. Estimate: $8,000.
  13. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=498818 UBS Gold & Numismatics http://www.ubs.com/ Auction 78 1423 (« | ») 9. September 2008 Result 3'200SF Description: ANCIENT COINAGE SPECIAL COLLECTION OF ROMAN IMPERATORS AND EMPERORS ROMAN EMPIRE Gaius "Caligula", 37-41 No.: 1423 Schätzwert/Estimate: 1000SF  Sestertius 37/38, Rome. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Laureate head to l. Rev. AGRIPPINA – DRVSILLA – IVLIA – S C Caligula's three sisters, Agrippina on l. as Securitas holding cornucopia and resting on column, Drusilla as Concordia in the middle with patera and cornucopia, Julia on r. as Fortuna with rudder and cornucopia. 26,57 g. RIC 33. BMC 37. C. 4. Green patina. Very fine.  Ex Münzhandlung Basel.
  14. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=163722 Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG http://www.kuenker.de/ Auction 89 2047 (« | ») 8. March 2004 Result 900€
    Description: RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN (ROMAN COINS) MÜNZEN DER RÖMISCHEN KAISERZEIT Gaius Caligula, 37-41.  Æ-Sesterz, 37/38, Rom; 25.09 g. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Kopf l. mit Lorbeerkranz//AGRIPPINA-DRVSILLA-IVLIA Agrippina, Drusilla und Julia stehen als Securitas, Concordia und Fortuna v. v. BMC 36; Coh. 4; RIC² 33. Von großer Seltenheit. Felder bearbeitet, braune Patina, sehr schön. Caligula stellt auf der Rückseite des Stückes seine drei Schwestern Agrippina, Drusilla und Julia als Personifikationen der Sicherheit, Eintracht sowie des Glückes vor. Besonders pikant ist die Darstellung der Drusilla als Concordia, mit der er nach Art der Ptolemäer eine Geschwisterehe hatte eingehen wollen - obwohl er sie, wie auch seine anderen Schwestern, zu einer Vestalin erhoben hatte! Schätzpreis: 1,000,00€.
  15. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=197210 Numismatik Lanz München http://www.numislanz.de/ Auction 121 314 (« | ») 22. November 2004 Description:
    RöMISCHE MüNZEN KAISERREICH CALIGULA (37 - 41) No.: 314 Schätzpreis-Estimation: 8000,00€. d=37mm  Sesterz, 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT. Kopf des Caligula mit Lorbeerkranz rechts. Rs: AGRIPPINA - DRVSILLA - IVLIA / S C. Die drei Schwestern des Caligula nebeneinander en face stehend: Agrippina als Securitas mit Füllhorn, auf eine Säule gestützt und den Kopf nach rechts gewandt, Drusilla als Concordia mit Patera und Füllhorn sowie Iulia als Fortuna mit Steuerruder und Füllhorn, beide den Kopf nach links gewandt. RIC 33. C. 4. BMC 36. CBN 48. MIR 8-4. 29,67g. Selten. Grünbraune, stellenweise leicht geglättete und etwas fleckige Patina, vorzüglich.
  16. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=301368 Numismatik Lanz München http://www.numislanz.de/ Auction 128 243 (« | ») 22. May 2006 Result 1'600€, Description: RöMISCHE MüNZEN KAISERREICH CALIGULA (37 - 41) No.: 243 Schätzpreis-Estimate: 1000€ d=37mm Sesterz, 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT. Kopf des Caligula mit Lorbeerkranz rechts. Rs: AGRIPPINA - DRVSILLA - IVLIA / S C. Die drei Schwestern des Caligula nebeneinander en face stehend: Agrippina als Securitas mit Füllhorn, auf eine Säule gestützt und den Kopf nach rechts gewandt, Drusilla als Concordia mit Patera und Füllhorn sowie Iulia als Fortuna mit Steuerruder und Füllhorn, beide den Kopf nach links gewandt. RIC 33. C. 4. BMC 36. CBN 48. MIR 8-4. 30,67g. Selten. Braungrüne, geglättete Patina mit Korrosionsspuren, sehr schön/fast sehr schön.
  17. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=362314 Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG http://www.kuenker.de/ Auction 124 8813 (« | ») 16. March 2007 Result 2'800€, Description. RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN (ROMAN COINS) MÜNZEN DER RÖMISCHEN KAISERZEIT Gaius Caligula, 37-41. Æ-Sesterz, 37/38, Rom; 28.11 g. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Kopf l. mit Lorbeerkranz//AGRIPPINA-DRVSILLA-IVLIA Agrippina, Drusilla und Julia stehen als Securitas, Concordia und Fortuna v. v. BMC 36; Coh. 4; RIC² 33. RR Braune Patina, min. korrodiert, sehr schön. Exemplar der Auktion Schweizerischer Bankverein 28, Zürich 1991, Nr. 400 und der Sammlung F. A. Walters, Auktion Hess Nachf. 211, Luzern 1932, Nr. 337. Caligula stellt auf der Rückseite des Stückes seine drei Schwestern Agrippina, Drusilla und Julia als Personifikationen der Sicherheit, Eintracht sowie des Glückes vor. Besonders pikant ist die Darstellung der Drusilla als Concordia, mit der er nach Art der Ptolemäer eine Geschwisterehe hatte eingehen wollen - obwohl er sie, wie auch seine anderen Schwestern, zu einer Vestalin erhoben hatte! Estimate: 1.000€.
  18. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=286140 Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG http://www.kuenker.de/ Auction 111 6579 (« | ») 18. March 2006 Result 1'200€, Description: RÖMISCHE MÜNZEN (ROMAN COINS). MÜNZEN DER RÖMISCHEN KAISERZEIT Gaius Caligula, 37-41. Æ-Sesterz, 37/38, Rom; 26.66 g. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Kopf l. mit Lorbeerkranz//AGRIPPINA-DRVSILLA-IVLIA Agrippina, Drusilla und Julia stehen als Securitas, Concordia und Fortuna v. v. BMC 36; Coh. 4; RIC² 33. RR Grüne Patina, fast sehr schön. Caligula stellt auf der Rückseite des Stückes seine drei Schwestern Agrippina, Drusilla und Julia als Personifikationen der Sicherheit, Eintracht sowie des Glückes vor. Besonders pikant ist die Darstellung der Drusilla als Concordia, mit der er nach Art der Ptolemäer eine Geschwisterehe hatte eingehen wollen - obwohl er sie, wie auch seine anderen Schwestern, zu einer Vestalin erhoben hatte! Estimate: 500€.
  19. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=69110 Numismatik Lanz München http://www.numislanz.de/ Auction 97 472 (« | ») 22. May 2000 Result 1'750 DEM Description: RöMISCHE MüNZEN KAISERREICH CALIGULA (37-41) No: 472 Schätzpreis/Estimation DM 1500,- d=36mm Sesterz, 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT. Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz links. Rs: AGRIPPINA - DRVSILLA - IVLIA / S · C. Die drei Schwestern des Caligula nebeneinander en face: Agrippina als Securitas mit Füllhorn, auf eine Säule gestützt, Drusilla als Concordia mit Patera und Füllhorn sowie Iulia als Fortuna mit Steuerruder und Füllhorn. RIC 33. C. 4. BMC 36. MIR 8-4. 27,84g, St. Selten. Rotbraune Patina, sehr schön/fast sehr schön. 
  20. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=476799 Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. http://www.goldbergcoins.com/ Auction 46 - The Millennia Collection 85 (« | ») 26. May 2008 Result 21'000$ Description: Rome. Gaius Germanicus, "Caligula," 37-41 AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck 37-38 AD. Laureate head of Caligula left. Reverse: The three sisters of Caligula standing frontal, heads in profile, each draped and holding cornucopiae; Agrippina, as Securitas, rests hand on column, Drusilla, as Concordia, also holds patera, and Julia, as Fortuna, also holds rudder; around, AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA, SC in exergue. RIC 33; BMCRE 36; C. 4. Perfectly centered on virtually round flan. An impeccable strike, full and sharp, the reverse figures with remarkable detail. Very rare. NGC graded Extremely Fine. In spite of his murderous streak, his debaucheries, and other similar acts, Caligula showed a surprising degree of "pietas," and was quite dutiful when it came to coining substantial issues honoring his deceased relations and immediate family. So chosen were Augustus, his great-grandfather; Germanicus and Agrippina Senior, his murdered parents; along with his murdered brothers, Nero Caesar and Drusus Caesar. To add to the scandal surrounding his reign, he also honored his three sisters -- some of whom he had an incestuous interest in. Perhaps even more shocking to the Roman public was the fact that when Drusilla, his favorite sister, died on June 10, 38 AD, he had her consecrated. She was the first Roman woman to receive this special religious distinction. Estimated Value $20,000 - 24,000. Provenance: Illustrated in Money of the World, coin 36.
  21. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=566532 Stack's http://www.stacks.com/ The Golden Horn Collection 2233 (« | ») 12. January 2009 Result 15'000 USD Description: Caligula, 37-41 A.D. Sestertius, 37- March 38 A.D. Rome. Laureate head l.; C.CAESAR.AVG.GERMANICVS.PON.M.TR.POT. Rv. Standing facing figures of Caligula's sisters: Agrippina Jr. cast as Securitas, Drusilla as Concordia and Julia Livilla as Fortuna, each holding a cornucopiae; central figure also holds a patera, Julia also holds a rudder, column at left; AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA S.C. RIC 33. Deep tan-brown over attractive fields. Superb example of this intriguing Sestertius. Extremely Fine. (15,000-17,500). Unnaturally adoring Caligula maintained incestuous relationships with his three sisters even after assuming the purple. Of the three, Drusilla was his favorite. When she died on June 10, 38 A.D., Caligula was thrown into an insane grief. He took the unprecedented act of having her deified (Drusilla thus became the first woman of Rome to enjoy this honor) and proclaimed an Empire-wide mandatory period of mourning where laughing, bathing and dining with company was punishable by death. Drusilla's demise also soured Caligula's relations with his other two sisters - undoubtedly a spiritually healthy turn of events, but not one in terms of the women's safety. Caligula was never very fond of Julia Livilla to begin with and although he laid with her, he preferred pimping her out to his friends. When Drusilla's husband Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (who was reputed to have been perversely involved with the whole inner Caligulan coterie) was tried and convicted of a plot on the emperor's life, Julia Livilla and her eldest sister Agrippina Junior were implicated and exiled to the Pontian Islands. Fortunately for them - and for Rome, their vile brother was murdered a year later, and they were recalled by their uncle Claudius. Claudius then married his niece Agrippina, who already had a son, Nero (the future emperor) from her marriage to Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus. Luckless Julia, though, was soon accused of having an adulterous affair with Seneca (future tutor to Nero), sent back to exile and executed a year later on charges that Tacitus claims were unsubstantiated.
  22. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1687690 Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. http://www.goldbergcoins.com/Auction 75 2576 (« | ») 24. September 2013 Estimate 3'000$. Description: Caligula, AD 37-41. Bronze Sestertius, mint of Rome, AD 37/8. Laurel head of Caligula facing left. Reverse: AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA S C, the three sisters of Caligula standing side by side representing Securitas, Concordia and Fortuna. RIC 33; Sear 1800. ANACS graded VF-25, tooled, burnished. Rare and always a popular type. We note the ANACS slab is scraped across the head and neck (should be replaced). Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
L'esame a distanza non ha permesso di giungere a conclusioni definitive sull'autenticità della moneta in esame. Se, da un lato, il peso, il diametro e il tipo di tondello (dorato, non ferromagnetico) rientrano nei canoni del periodo, due elementi destano perplessità: in primo luogo la C che segna l'inizio della leggenda del dritto appare appena abbozzata, in secondo luogo, è assente la patina naturale di vecchiaia della moneta antica. Ciò potrebbe spiegarsi con l'utilizzo, al momento della percussione, di un conio d'incudine "stanco" e con un'operazione radicale di pulizia effettuata dopo il ritrovamento ma potrebbe all'opposto indicare che la moneta è un calco. D'altra parte il tipo delle tre sorelle è stato spesso imitato in tempi moderni, anche se la moneta in esame appare diversa dai riconii di cui sono venuto a conoscenza. Da notare infine che la moneta è stata trapanata in alto dalla parte del dritto, probabilmente allo scopo di essere utilizzata come ciondolo, con la conseguenza che il suo valore commerciale, nel caso di autenticità accertata dal vivo, risulterebbe fortemente ridotto rispetto a esemplari simili nello stesso stato di conservazione.

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio
 

---------------------------------------------

Note:

(1) Sesterzio di oricalco. Secondo BMC, il peso dei sesterzi di Caligola si addensa intorno ai 27,63g. Raccolgo in tabella le caratteristiche fisiche dei sesterzi della tipologia di figura tratte dai link di cui sopra:

Riferimenti Peso (g.)  Diametro (mm) Asse di conio (H)
Link1 27,67 - -
Link2 26,4 31,5 -
Link3 27,3 36 -
Link4 25,63 - -
Link5 27,92 - -
Link6 27,65 - -
Link7 26,37 - -
Link8 25,19 34 7
Link9 25,46 - -
Link10 24,043 36,5 6
Link11 26,92 - -
Link12 27,41 - -
Link13 26,57 - -
Link14 25,09 - -
Link15 29,67 - -
Link16 30,67 37 -
Link17 28,11 - -
Link18 26,66 - -
Link19 27,84 36 -
Link10 24,043 36,5 6
Dall'esame dei dati tabulati si evince che le caratteristiche fisiche del sesterzio di figura comunicate dal lettore (26g, 36mm, 6h) non si discostano da quelle dei conî d'epoca.
(2) La moneta è databile sulla base della prima potestà tribunizia (TR POT) della quale Caligola fu investito dal 37 al 38 d. C.
(3) Caius CAESAR AVGustus GERMANICVS PONtifex Maximus TRibunicia POTestate. Caio Cesare Augusto, Germanico, Pontefice Massimo, investito dei poteri di tribuno. Germanico è il patronimico di Caligola. Germanico, giovane e brillante membro della famiglia Giulio-Claudia, si era distinto sui campi di battaglia, in particolare in Germania dove aveva inflitto gravi sconfitte alle tribù barbariche e recuperato gli stendardi legionari persi nella disfatta di Varo. Scelto come successore di Tiberio, era morto anzitempo per cause sconosciute. La sua enorme popolarità (era chiamato delizia del popolo romano) aveva aiutato Caio nell'ascesa alla morte di Tiberio.
Profilo storico: la bisnonna di Caligola, Livia Drusilla, aveva sposato in prime nozze Tiberio Claudio Nerone e dalla loro unione era derivata la discendenza per via materna di Caligola. Quando Livia Drusilla sposò
in seconde nozze Augusto, il fondatore della dinastia giulio-claudia (v. link), questi riconobbe come suoi i figli di primo letto della moglie, ragione per cui Caligola poté dichiararsi pronipote del fondatore (v. albero genealogico). Dopo l'ascesa, Caligola, spinto dal desiderio di autoaffermazione assolutistica, si rese responsabile di una finanza dissennata. Per far fronte a spese folli volte ad abbellire Roma (come l'impianto di flotte lacustri o il trasferimento dall'Egitto dell'obelisco vaticano, ecc.) ricorse in modo estensivo a condanne seguite dalla confisca di beni all'insegna dell'arbitrio più evidente; in politica estera avviò i preparativi logistici per l'invasione della Britannia senza procedere poi alla conquista. Furono i pretoriani ad assassinarlo e a decidere il nome del suo successore, Claudio, senza interpellare il Senato. Il personaggio è controverso, anche per l'esiguità delle fonti (v. link).
(4) AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA sono le sorelle di Caligola alle quali l'imperatore concesse gli onori dovuti alle Vestali. Il motivo della grande popolarità della moneta in esame ed il motivo per cui è molto richiesta sul mercato collezionistico è legato ad alcune fonti storiche (Svetonio e Giuseppe Flavio contemporanei, Eutropio, Aurelio Vittore, San Girolamo, Orosio e l'anonimo compilatore della "Epitome de Caesaribus", vissuti nel 4° e 5° secolo) che hanno riferito sui rapporti incestuosi che Caligola avrebbe intrattenuto con le sorelle (v. link). La consistenza di queste voci, accolte con scetticismo dagli studiosi moderni, è impossibile da accertare. La tipologia del rovescio di questa moneta, nella quale le tre sorelle sono indicate per nome e rappresentate nelle vesti di una personificazione (Agrippina Junior, la maggiore, è la Securitas, la seconda, Drusilla è la Concordia, la più giovane, Giulia Livilla, è la Fortuna), ha carattere politico e dinastico. Il tipo fu utilizzato in due emissioni, una prima volta nel 37-38 (come la moneta in esame) e poi nel 39-40 quando Drusilla, la prediletta di Caligola, era ormai morta e deificata (singolare la deificazione di una personificazione!). Dopo la morte di Drusilla la vita di palazzo era peggiorata e l'affetto di Caligola per le sorelle declinato. Le circostanze riportate dalle fonti antiche sono a dir poco bizzarre: Drusilla era stata sposata con Marco Emilio Lepido, che era stato anche l'amante di Caligola. Almeno dopo la morte di Drusilla, Lepido aveva incluso nel giro delle sue relazioni sessuali le sue ex cognate Agrippina e Giulia Livilla. Verso la fine del 39, sembra che da questa rete di relazioni originasse un complotto contro Caligola, che, disvelato, ebbe la conseguenza che Lepido fu giustiziato e le sorelle superstiti di Caligola esiliate per sospetta complicità. L'intrigo di palazzo si verificò nel bel mezzo della seconda emissione che Caligola probabilmente cercò di bloccare perché delle tre sorelle, una ormai era morta e le altre due erano in esilio. Questo è il motivo per cui le monete della seconda emissione sono estremamente rare, R5 secondo il Ric.
Indice Dietro Avanti