COIN (ROMAN)

A copper-alloy dupondius of Augustus dating to the period c. AD 10-14 (Reece Period 1). COL NEM reverse type depicting a chained crocodile right; behind, a palm shoot. Mint of Nemausus. RIC I (rev.ed.), p. 52, nos 159-161.

Ruler: Augustus
Denomination: Dupondius or as
Material: Copper alloy
Obverse: Heads of Agrippa(to left), wearing a combined rostral crown and laurel wreath, and Augustus (to right), laureate, back to back
Obverse legend: IMP DIVI F; P P to left and right of the heads
Reverse: crocodile right; behind, a palm shoot.
Reverse legend: C[OL] NEM
Dated: 10.0 to 14.0
Weight (g): 8.19
Diameter (mm): 25.44
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Basildon
County: Essex
Region: Eastern
Place known as: Wickford CP
Discovery method: Metal detector
Notes: 
These coins were recovered during the 1970's. Essex County Council conducted an archaeological excavation of the area throughout the 1970's, however it is unknown the finder was working with the excavators or if these coins were retrieved by another means. The area was developed as a housing estate. The coins were passed to the Wickford (?Archaeological) Society, and subsequently passed to the Billericay Archaeological and Historical Society. The notes that accompanied the coins (dated 4/10/1978) states that "There is no doubt that this is not the complete collection. The silver denarius of Hadrian and the Cunobelin coins are not included for example". The coins are numbered 1-245, however only numbers 112-245 are present in this collection. It is unclear whether the missing coins have been misplaced, or sold at an earlier date.