The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

324 FREDK. A. WALTERS.
perfectly circular, and there is a broad plain band out-
side the legend with a raised marginal line close to the
edge. This outer band and margin have apparently
been turned. 2 The legends are the usual ones for this
moneyer: Obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS TRIBVNIC
POTEST; bare head of Augustus to right: Rev. C-
CASSIVS CELER III VIR A-A-A-FF; large SC in
centre. The weight is 302 grs.,
its module is size 10
according to Mionnet's scale (33-5 mm.). In connexion
with this piece I describe another also in my collection,
and equally exceptional. It is by the same moneyer, and
also as regards type it is the same as the ordinary as,
although it is rather larger. It is, however, of yellow
brass or aurichalcum. It is perfectly circular, and it
also has a turned margin, not so broad as the first
piece described, but with a hollow grooved edge. The
legends are the same as those of the first piece. The
weight of this coin is 188 grs., and the module is size
84 (29 mm.).
In Num. Chron., 4th series, vol. iv, Mr. Grueber, in a
paper on the bronze coinage of Rome of this period,
says that the sestertius and the dupondius were
struck in aurichalcum, while the as was in copper,
and was the only denomination on which the portrait
of Augustus appeared, the type of the dupondius being
invariably the wreath with the Emperor's name. I
see no reason for disagreeing with this general rule,
although the two pieces I have described are excep-
tions to it, and the question arises as to what they
were intended for. My own suggestion is that they
2
Cp. the Vienna coin of M. Maecilius Tullus (Willers, Gesch.
rom. Kupferpr., p. 152, No. 217), or that of Salvius Otho (ibid.,
PI. xvii, 2], or that of Gallius Lupercus (ibid., PI. xiv, 4).