Philadelphia (AD 35-37) AE 16 - Tiberius Gemellus

Tiberius Gemellus(?), co-heir of Tiberius. AE16 (3.18g), struck ca 35-37 AD. TIBERION [CEBACTON], bare head of Tiberius Gemellus(?) right / N[EO]KEC"PEIC, winged thunderbolt. Dark green patina, gF. Extremely rare.

Tiberius Gemellus, born 19 AD, was twin brother to Germanicus Gemellus. They were the sons of Livilla, sister of Germanicus and Claudius, and given to her husband Drusus, son of emperor Tiberius. However, it is probable that they were fathered by Sejanus, the ambitious prefect of Tiberius. During the last years of Tiberius' life, his options for an heir had narrowed to his only 'grandson' Tiberius Gemellus and his grandnephew Caligula. Both men were adopted as co-heirs in 35. However, when Tiberius died in 37, the prefect Macro declared Caligula the new emperor, as the two had prearranged. For appearances, Tiberius Gemellus was hailed princeps iuventutis, but within months was executed for treason. This portrait is especially important because it depicts him not as a child, but as a teen and heir to the throne. All coins from this issue share the same obverse die.