Augustus and Marcus Agrippa, struck after 10 AD; 27 mm brass dupondius. RIC 159-60, Sear 1731, Vagi 385, Van Meter 91; Choice VF, Scarce issue.
OBV: IMP DIVI F P P; heads of Agrippa facing left, wearing a rostral crown, back to back with Augustus facing right, laureate.
REV: COL NEM; a crocodile chained to a palm tree, with a wreath with long ties above. Struck by the colony of Nemausus in Gaul.
Both sides nicely centered, with with well defined details, and a glossy smooth surface. Check out the choice patina on this beauty! The crocodile actually has a pattern that resembles red, black and yellow stripes!
The crocodile dupondius was a series struck over four decades to commemorate the conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. This issue with P P on the obverse is one of the rarest issues of the series.
Close lifelong friend of Augustus and hero of the famous battle of Actium, Agrippa was Augustus' chosen successor to his throne until his death. Agrippa's sons Caius and Lucius Caesar were then chosen to succeed Augustus, and are commemorated on one of his denarii.
Valued in Vagi at $200-300 in VF.
