The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

270 E. A. SYDENHAM.suppose that the undated coins of the Neptune typebelong to the same period of fifteen years.(4) Laffranchi, in maintaining the Caligula date,points out that the features of Agrippa wear an expressionsimilar to that of Caligula, and urges theinherent reasonableness of Caligula's honouring thememory of his grandfather on the coinage. Onthe other hand, it is equally natural that Tiberiusshould have commemorated the father of Vipsania,the only one of his wives for whom he had any realaffection.(5) The "restitution" coins (Class III) apparentlyinclude none of Caligula's types, but only those ofTiberius. Thus it is a significant fact that the Neptuneasses of Agrippa were restored by both Titus andDomitian.It may be concluded, therefore, that, although someforce lies in Laffranchi's theory, the weight of numismaticevidence points unmistakably to the period ofTiberius (A.D. 22-37) as the date of Agrippa's asses,amongst which we must include the example describedabove with the head of Divus Augustus.Under Caligula there is a further improvement inthe style of the bronze coinage. The rendering of theemperor's portrait is bold and impressive, executed ina manner that has been described as " semi-Greek ".9. Olv. CONSENSV.SENAT.ET.EQ,ORDIN.PQ..R.Eev.Augustus seated 1., and holding in r. anolive-branch, and in 1. an orb.Dl VVS AVCVST VS. Kadiate head of Augustus1., between S-C.&* D (Coh. 87). Av. wt. 250 grains.[PI. XI. 9, 10.]