MYSIA. Pergamum (?). Julia, with Gaius Caesar, before 2 BC. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 14 mm, 2.50 g, 5 h). ΙΟΥΛΙΑ Head of Julia to right. Rev. ΓΑΙ / ΚΑΙΣΑΡ Bare head of Caius Caesar to right. Plankenhorn, Mysien, p. 140, 96 (this coin). RPC I 5437.4 (this coin). Extremely rare. The reverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, about very fine.


This is the only issue to show Julia, Augustus' sole offspring, with her son, Gaius. It must have been issued before 2 BC, when Julia fell into disgrace with her father and was arrested and exiled for adultery and treason. Seneca would later report that she was involved in sexual orgies and public prostitution on the Rostra near the Forum Romanum, but such tales may very well just reflect the usual slanderous topoi that used to circulate in Roman society following the downfall of influential women.