Agrippa. Died 12 BC. Æ As (27mm, 10.89 g, 6h).

Keystone Auction 6 – Session Three – The Ken Bressett Collection, Part II – Roman Coinage
Lot: 3124. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 120. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Agrippa. Died 12 BC. Æ As (27mm, 10.89 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Gaius (Caligula), AD 37-41. Head left, wearing rostral crown / Neptune standing left, holding dolphin and trident. RIC I 58 (Gaius). Near VF, brown patina, some roughness and scratches.

From the Ken Bressett Collection. Ex ANA National convention c.1980 @ $38.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was Augustus' "right-hand man", a close friend whose political and military skills accelerated his rise to power. Although Agrippa was of humble birth, a social class below Augustus, he was showered with honors and held many important military commands and offices. In 21 BC, Augustus gave his daughter Julia in marriage to Agrippa, clearly marking him as the chosen heir, and in 17 Augustus formally adopted Agrippa to ensure a smooth succession. Agrippa's preeminence in political affairs was demonstrated in 13 BC when two of the three moneyers included him on their coin types. He died abruptly the following year, forcing Augustus, reluctantly perhaps, to name Tiberius as his successor. Agrippa's daughter, Agrippina the elder, later married Germanicus and bore him several children, including the future emperor Gaius Caligula, who honored his maternal grandfather by striking this handsome copper coin with his portrait. The reverse image of Neptune recalls Agrippa's role as admiral at the naval battle of Actium

The final winners of all Keystone 6 lots will be determined at the online sale that will be held on 11 March 2022. Session Three, presenting part 1 of the Ken Bressett Collection, featuring Roman coinage, will be held Friday evening, 11 March 2022 beginning at 7:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.