Nemausus “crocodile” As — Certificate Of Authenticity

COIN AVAILABLE — DESCRIPTION PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROFESSIONAL AND MUSEUM NUMISMATIC STANDARDS.

This iconic colonial issue of Nemausus (Nîmes)—uniting the effigies of Augustus and Agrippa with the celebrated reverse of the “chained crocodile”—stands among the most emblematic large bronzes of provincial coinage in the western Roman world. Its imagery is instantly recognizable (foundation and assertion of the colony, commemoration of Augustan victories, and the incorporation of Egypt into Roman dominion), while the paired portraits carry exceptional political and memorial weight.

Close examination with a ×10 loupe and raking light: inspection of both sides indicates an ancient strike on a broad flan with a naturally irregular edge (a module consistent with the Nemausus “asses/dupondii”), bearing a dark brown patina with warmer nuances, dotted with minute surface catches and small areas of stable superficial deposits, consistent with long circulation and an extended burial history. Under raking light, the relief shows gradual, coherent wear (without abrupt visual breaks), while the fields display a fine, continuous texture, without immediately apparent visual indicators typically associated with modern reproduction (artificial granulation, casting bubbles, “dead” edges, or incoherent smoothing), within the strict limits of what observation of the coin allows.

The obverse presents the expected type: jugate heads back-to-back, Agrippa left and Augustus right.

• Agrippa: the rostral crown (linked to naval victory) is discernible through the modelling of the band and the projecting elements along the top, with hair rendered in structured locks. The physiognomy remains strong and the profile firm, consistent with the Nemausus iconographic repertory even where wear softens the finest details.

• Augustus: bare head (or with a very discreet wreath depending on wear), with a more “idealized,” regular profile and a clean forehead-to-nose contour. Facial and nape volumes read well under raking light.

• Legend: the formula IMP / DIVI F (set above and below the busts) is visible in segments; legibility is partly governed by centering and wear, as commonly observed for this module.

The reverse shows the crocodile right, chained to a palm (or palmiform branch), in a structured and characteristic composition.

The crocodile is recognizable by its elongated silhouette, stretched head, and back articulated by raised elements; the fetter/chain can be made out near the attachment to the palm even where patina and wear level some detail.

The palm/palm-tree occupies the central axis; the associated wreath/garland motif (depending on the series variant) is more or less distinct at the top, and secondary vegetal elements may appear at the bottom of the field according to preservation.

• Legend: COL NEM remains readable around/through the fields, supporting the colonial attribution to Colonia Nemausus with direct typological coherence.

• The reverse patina shows dark brown-black contrasts with lighter brown on the high relief, consistent with prolonged circulation; the fields remain visually stable, without harsh “stripping.”

• Authority / issuing context: Augustus and Agrippa, colony of Nemausus (Nîmes)

• Denomination: Æ As (often termed the “Nîmes As/dupondius” depending on cataloguing tradition)

• Mint: Nemausus (Gallia Narbonensis)

• Date: attributed by standard corpora to the late 1st century BC (commonly around 16–10 BC, depending on the series)

• Obverse: IMP / DIVI F, jugate heads back-to-back of Agrippa (rostral crown) and Augustus (bare head), opposed profiles

• Reverse: COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm/palm-tree; wreath/vegetal elements according to variant; emblematic colonial type

• Metal: bronze (ancient alloy, consistent in appearance with Nemausus colonial issues)

• Weight: 11.30 g

• Diameter: 24 mm

• References: RPC I 523; RIC I (Augustus) 157

These Nemausus bronzes belong to the colonial and memorial policy of the early Principate. Promoted under Augustus, the colony settled veterans and asserted civic identity through immediately legible imagery: the crocodile, an emblem strongly associated with Egypt, signifies a power now integrated and “held” within Roman order; the palm and wreath belong to the triumphal vocabulary. By pairing Agrippa (naval architect and essential strategist) with Augustus, the obverse fixes in metal a foundational political partnership intended for daily circulation throughout the provinces.

For collectors, this type concentrates several major and enduring appeals:

• a “great classic” of Roman Gaul, instantly recognizable and highly sought after in thematic collecting (Augustus, colonies, Egyptian iconography);

• a powerful double effigy (Agrippa + Augustus), rarely combined with such symbolic force on a provincial bronze;

• a thoroughly documented issue, readily comparable to reference specimens in public collections and the principal corpora, strengthening attribution and the object’s museum-grade readability.

In accordance with our practice, each specimen is examined, described, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity consistent with the standards of the art and heritage market. The study is conducted under a ×10 loupe and raking light, combining typological criteria (legends, iconography, style), metrological criteria (module/weight), and technical criteria (strike quality, coherence of relief and surfaces).
Provenance: European, through a professional numismatic channel; acquired via a specialized international transaction within an established network and validated by reference experts in line with market practice.

Careful, discreet, and secure shipment, with reinforced protection appropriate for numismatic objects, and a tracked/insured dispatch solution depending on destination.