coin
- Museum number
- 1935,1102.9
- Description
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Copper alloy coin. (whole)
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Heads of Augustus, laureate (on right) and Agrippa, laureate and wearing rostral crown (on left), back to back. (obverse)
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Crocodile, right, in chains, with palm-branch behind; behind palm, wreath with long ties. (reverse)
- Production date
- 9BC-3BC
- Dimensions
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Weight: 13.16 grammes
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- The Roman city of Nemausus (modern Nîmes) in southern Gaul issued a large coinage throughout Augustus' reign with the standard reverse design of a crocodile chained to a palm branch and the ties of a laurel wreath flying above. The crocodile clearly stands for Egypt or more specifically Cleopatra, tied like a dog to the two classic symbols of Roman victory. It may also refer to the presence of veterans of the Actium campaign settled in Nîmes by Octavian. These coins circulated widely in Gaul and on the northern frontier of the empire. The obverse shows the busts of Augustus (right) and his great friend and chief lieutenant, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (left).
- Location
- On display (G70/dc3/no22)
- Associated events
- Associated Event: Actium
- Acquisition date
- 1935
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- 1935,1102.9
