Description
Denomination: Brass As
Period: Roman empire
Date: AD 10 -14
Origin: Nemausus
Condition: VF
Obverse: Heads back to back of Augustus, right, laureate and Agrippa, left, wearing rostral crown, IMP DIVI F, P P either side
Reverse: Crocodile, right, chained to palm, wreath with long ties above, two palms below, COL NEM (Colonia Augusta Nemausus)
Size and Weight: 13.20g, 27.5mm
References: Sear 1728-31, RIC 159
Features and Provenance: The Roman emperors often paid tribute to their ancestors by way of placing them on their coinage, either as conjoined heads or as lone busts. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was one of these revered friends and ancestors and compared to many high ranking officials of the time, appears to have been an all round ‘goodie’. He was born the same year as Gaius Octavius (Emperor Augustus) and died about AD 12 at the age of 50. As Emperor Augustus’s friend and right-hand man he appeared on coins with him. He excelled as a commander on land and at sea and was largely instrumental in Augustus’s success; as Augustus was childless, he was also a good contender for the throne on Augustus’s death. Sadly, he pre-deceased Augustus, so was never emperor.
The use of the crocodile references back to earlier coins but usually relates to battles won in Egypt. Modern day Nemausus, now Nimes, still has the crocodile and palm tree emblem on its flag.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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