Brass Dupondius of Augustus and Agrippa RIC 523

Augustus 
Brass Dupondius, (25mm 9.9g)
Struck 27 B.C.- AD 14 Gaul, Nemausus

Obv: IMP DIVI F Heads of Agrippa wearing rostral crown, and Augustus bareheaded back to back

Rev: COL NEM Crocodile right, chained to palm frond , wreath with long ties above, two palm fronds at base

RPC I 523, RIC I 155 Sear 1729
ex. Caribou Coins Jon Moller

This coin—a Dupondius from the colony of Nemausus (modern-day Nîmes, France)—is arguably the most famous and recognizable "provincial" coin of the entire Roman Empire. It is not just currency; it is a monument to the partnership that allowed Augustus to rule the world.

1. The Power Couple: Augustus and Agrippa

The obverse features two portraits back-to-back.

• Augustus (right): Representing the supreme political authority and the auctoritas of the Empire.
• Agrippa (left): Wearing the rostral crown (a crown decorated with the prows of ships). This was an extraordinary honor, awarded to Agrippa for his decisive naval victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium.

This coin explicitly pairs the two men. Agrippa was Augustus's right-hand man, his general, his son-in-law, and the logistical genius who managed the Roman state while Augustus handled the politics. By placing Agrippa on the coinage, Augustus was acknowledging that his "Imperial" power rested entirely on Agrippa's military success.

2. The Crocodile and the Palm: The Symbol of Egypt

The reverse depicts a crocodile chained to a palm frond. This is a deliberate, highly charged piece of political theater.

• The Meaning: The crocodile is the symbol of Egypt. The palm frond represents victory.
• The Narrative: After the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Egypt was annexed by Rome and became Augustus’s personal province. This coin was struck for the veterans who had served in the Egyptian campaign and were subsequently settled in Nemausus.

Every time a veteran in Gaul handled this coin, he was reminded of his role in the ultimate conquest that solidified Augustus's power: the annexation of Egypt, the richest and most important province of the new Empire.

3. The City of Nemausus

Nemausus was a "colonia"—a settlement of retired Roman soldiers. In the early Empire, these colonies were essential for two reasons:

1. Veteran Security: It provided the retired soldiers with land and a pension, keeping them from becoming a source of domestic unrest.
2. Romanization: These colonies acted as islands of "Roman-ness" in conquered territories. By minting their own coins, these colonies asserted their status as a legitimate part of the Roman world.