World Coins, Banknotes & Medals
87
October 23, 2025 – 17:00 CET
Roman Empire
2022
Roman Empire, Gaius (Caligula), 37-41 AD, bronze sestertius, 25.19 g. (36 mm), Rome mint struck 39-40. Obverse:
laureate head to left, with legend around C CAESAR DIVI AVG PRO N AVG P M TR P III IMP P P. Reverse: ADLOCVT
above, COH in exergue, Gaius, bareheaded and wearing toga, standing left on daïs, addressing five soldiers standing
in rank to left wearing helmets and carrying shields and military standards. RIC I 40. A very rare TR P IIII issue.
VF, very well-struck and well-centred on a broad and heavy flan with fully legible legends on both sides. With a
particularly handsome reverse showing the emperor giving the adlocutio cohortium, the address to the praetorian
guards, with good details on the helmeted soldiers and their standards. Some porosity to the obverse bust and a few
cracks and wear to high points, attractive bronze patina.
CHF 1’000 - 2’000
2023
2024
2023
Roman Empire, Nero 54-68, bronze dupondius, 15.05 g. (29 mm), Rome, 62-68. Obverse: NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR
AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P radiate head to left. Reverse: MAC AVG Façade of the Macellum Magnum, its domed central
section flanked by two-storied wings of unequal height, above the steps in centre, a male figure standing to left holding
long sceptre; S-C in exergue. RIC I, 188. Ex P.J. Downie Ltd., Melbourne, Classic Coin List 25, 1989, lot 255.
Good VF, good details of the Macellum and a strong portrait of Nero, with pleasing light brown patina.
The Macellum Magnum on the Caelian Hill was built by Nero in 59 and housed a large market of shops arranged
around an indoor courtyard that likely stood on the site now occupied by the church of S. Stefano Rotondo.
CHF 300 - 500
2024
Roman Empire, Nero 53-68, bronze as, 10.09 g. (24 mm). Obverse: NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, laureate head
right. Reverse: PACE P R VBIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, temple of Janus, with latticed window on left and double doors
decorated with garland on right; S-C across fields. RIC I 306.
F-VF
The Temple of Janus was one of the oldest buildings in the Roman Forum. According to tradition, the large doors
of the temple were kept open in wartime and closed during times of peace. The closing of the Temple doors was
indeed a rare event, even during the Pax Romana. In AD 66, having recently concluded a favorable peace treaty with
Parthia, Nero closed the doors with great fanfare and marked the occasion on his coinage.
CHF 50 - 100