AUGUSTUS AN AGRIPPA AE DUPONDIUS
RPC 525, RIC 160. Very Fine, deposits, 26.9mm, 12.57 grams, Struck Circa 10 - 14 C.E., Nemausus, Gaul Mint (now Nimes, France)
Obverse: Laureate head of Augustus to right, on right, and Agrippa to left, on left wearing rostral crown, IMP / DIVI•F above and below, P P across outer fields
Reverse: COL NEM above crocodile to right, chained to palm tree with long vertical fronds, wreath with ties
Despite typical deposits and minor roughness, CLEAR motifs and a VERY ATTRACTIVE portrait of Augustus!
The Roman colony of Nemausus, (modern Nîmes) was founded in order to settle veteran troops who had served in the armies of Augustus and Agrippa. Agrippa’s rostral crown recalls his victories as admiral. The crocodile on the reverse is a reference to the conquest of Egypt.
From the collection of a Texas Pastor
