Agrippina I - Mother of Caligula Sestertius (O2583)

Agrippina Senior (Mother of Caligula, died A.D. 33)
AGRIPPINA SENIOR (MOTHER OF CALIGULA, DIED A.D. 33). AE Sestertius (24.84  gms, 34 mm), Rome Mint, Struck under Caligula, A.D. 37-41.  VERY FINE.
RIC (Caligula)-55. "AGRIPPINA M F MAT (C) CAESARIS AVGVSTI" Draped bust of Agrippina facing right; Reverse: "S P Q R MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE" Carpentum drawn by two mules, the cover supported by standing figures at the corners, ornamented side. Struck to commemorate Caligula's mother, Agrippina Senior. From the R.L. Collection.

The sestertii dedicated to Agrippina are easily segregated. The first, produced by her son Caligula, shows on its reverse a carpentum; the second, issued by her brother Claudius, shows SC surrounded by a Claudian inscription, and the third is simply a restoration of the Claudian type by Titus, on which the reverse inscription is instead dedicated to that emperor.
Though both Caligula and Claudius portrayed Agrippina, each did so from their own perspective, based upon the nature of their relationship with her. The inscription on Caligula’s coin, AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI, describes her as the daughter of Marcus (Agrippa) and the mother of Gaius (Caligula). While Claudius also identifies her as Agrippa’s daughter, his inscription ends GERMANICI CAESARIS, thus stressing her role as the wife of his brother Germanicus. It is also worth noting that on the issue of Caligula Agrippina has a slender profile like that of her son, whereas on Claudius’ sestertii her face is more robust, in accordance with his appearance.
The carpentum reverse is not only a superbly executed type, but has a foundation in the recorded events of the day. Suetonius (Gaius 15) describes the measures taken by Caligula to honour his family at the outset of his reign, which included gathering the ashes of his mother and brothers, all victims of persecution during the reign of Tiberius. Upon returning to Rome, Caligula, with his own hands, transferred to an urn his mother’s ashes “with the utmost reverence”; he then instituted Circus games in her honour, at which “…her image would be paraded in a covered carriage.” There can be little doubt that the carpentum on this sestertius relates to the special practice initiated by Caligula. The inscription, SPQR MEMORIAE AGRIPPINAE, is itself dedicatory from the Senate and the Roman people to the memory of Agrippina.