Gaius (Caligula), 37-41. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 35 mm, 29.95 g, 7 h), Rome, 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT Laureate head of Gaius to left. Rev. S•P•Q•R / P•P / OB•CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath (corona civica). BMC 38. Cohen 24. RIC 37. A wonderful coin of fine style, boldly struck on a perfectly round flan and with a superb portrait. Extremely fine.


The corona civica was the second highest Roman military decoration after the corona obsidionalis graminea. It was made of oak leaves and awarded to Roman citizens who saved the life of a fellow citizen by slaying an enemy, capturing his armor and holding the battle line in place of the saved citizen. The corona civica was awarded to Julius Caesar during the siege of Mytilene in 81 BC and subsequently became one of the signa of the emperors in imperial times.