Augustus & Agrippa

The impressive bronze coin was struck near the end of the reign of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome (ruled 27 BCE-14 CE).



Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was at Octavian's side the entire time. During the war that followed Caesar's death, Agrippa's defense of Italy was critical in Octavian's ultimate success.

Bronze Dupondius - Augustus and Agrippa with Crocodile Reverse Most conspicuously, a large crocodile is chained to what is either a palm tree, a palm shoot or a palm branch; different sticking’s present greater or lesser versions. .

Besides its bulk, the most striking element of the crocodile is its sharp, pointy teeth, the pattern of the creature's scales on its back. All four feet are present.

Divided by the trunk of the palm tree is the inscription COL / NEM, which is an abbreviation for Colonia Augusta Nemausus, or "Augustan Colony Nemausus".

 

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wow, that's a FANTASTIC example SwK!

 

Not any more. Very nice piece ... and quite suitable for "that" forum.

 

One of the best examples I have ever seen, beautiful coin and so well struck congrats SwK on a fantastic coin.

 

Wow! That is one of the finest examples of that coin I've seen!

 

Very nice example!

 

Superb coin.

 

Such a cool and interesting type and one of the best examples I've ever seen. Well collected!

 

Wow! Think that's the finest one I've ever seen.

 

My Lord. I never knew there were snakes at the top of the reverse.

 

Wow that is an amazing coin. I haven't seen one of that quality since @AncientJoe posted his a while back.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/purchases-from-the-chicago-coin-expo.294363/

Is everyone else too intimidated to pile on?

Okay I'll bite the bullet... here is mine

 

Wonderful coin @SwK ! Beautiful example... teeth are sharp, detail and devices prominent... nice capture!

Mine is circulated and pedestrian:


RI Augustus oak crown -Agrippa rostral crown L AE Dupondius 26mm 12.6g 10-14 CE Nemausus chained Croc snakes wreaths RIC I 158

 

I'le throw one on as well, but OP is a hard act to follow. My one is after 10 BC but before OP example....mid range of the long issue.

 

@SwK that is one of the most impressive of these coins that I've seen. Outstanding!!

 

I bet that is one of the finest examples of the type in existence. Mine is mediocre in comparison.

 

Impressive is definitely the right word... what a beauty!

Honestly, this croc type has so much character that I confess to loving all the other examples posted here as well. As hard as it is to find the perfect example (and the OP is as close to one as I've seen), it's equally hard for me to find an example that I don't like.

Mine is a mutant variant with a horn-snouted croc and the city name spelled COL-NIM.


AUGUSTUS & AGRIPPA
AE As. 12.0g, 26.4mm. GAUL, Nemasus, circa 20-10 BC. RIC I 156. O: IMP/DIVI.F., head of Agrippa left, wearing combined rostral crown and laurel wreath, bare head of Augustus right. R: COL-NIM, crocodile right chained to palm branch, wreath above, palm fronds below.

 

@SwK Wow, that is a great coin, or should I call it SwanKy?
I plan to buy a split one of those to add to my collection.

 

Decisions, decisions! What part of a croc do you want with your half? The hard one is no croc at all. I don't have one like that.