Coin commemorating the victory of Augustus and Marcus Agrippa over the fleet of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII, and the conquest of Egypt one of the most iconic examples of early Roman imperial propaganda.
Bronze as struck at Nemausus (modern Nîmes) between circa 9 BC and AD 3, belonging to the famous colonial series COL NEM, issued to commemorate victory in the civil war and the establishment of a new political order.
The obverse features two back-to-back busts: Augustus wearing a laurel wreath and Marcus Agrippa wearing a rostral crown, with the inscriptions IMP and DIVI F and flanked by P-P. This composition emphasizes their joint leadership and decisive role in the victory.
The reverse depicts a crocodile chained to a palm tree, with the legend COL NEM and two palm branches below. The crocodile symbolizes Egypt, while the palm represents victory and the newly founded Roman colony. The scene directly refers to the defeat and annexation of Egypt.
This type is one of the most striking examples of Roman visual propaganda, conveying triumph and domination through clear and powerful imagery.
Roman Provincial
Marcus Agrippa (27 BC-14 AD, grandfather of Caligula), As 9 BC - 3 AD, Nemausus (Nimes) mint
Obverse: two heads of Agrippa and Augustus back to back, IMP above, DIVI F below, P P across lower fields
Reverse: chained crocodile right, palm frond upwards in centre, wreath to left of palm tip with long ties trailing to right, COL NEM across fields
Diameter 26 mm, weight 12.3 g
