A coin of the colony
Around 28 to 27 BC, the Nemausus mint struck a coin in brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. The obverse shows two profiles, Augustus and Agrippa, with the legend IMP DIVI F. The reverse shows a crocodile chained to a palm tree and the legend COL NEM, for the colony of Nemausus. Known as the "as de Nîmes", the coin was in fact worth two asses: it is a dupondius, and the two portraits recall this double value.
The memory of Actium
The image celebrates the naval victory of Actium, in 31 BC, where Octavian and Agrippa defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Augustus wears a laurel wreath, Agrippa a naval crown, reserved for victors at sea. The chained crocodile represents Egypt subdued by Rome; the palm tree also evokes Apollo, Octavian’s protector. The coin circulated throughout the Empire, especially in Gaul, before being withdrawn around AD 30 to 40. Two coin dies were found during excavations in the 18th century, a very rare discovery.
From coat of arms to logo
In 1535, under Francis I, Nîmes took up the crocodile and the palm tree in its coat of arms. In 1985, the designer Philippe Starck drew a modernised version, which became the city’s logo. The motif thus spans more than two thousand years, from the ancient coin to today’s communication materials.
Crocodiles in the town hall
In the town hall, four stuffed crocodiles hang beneath the ceiling of the staircase, on the rue de la Trésorerie side. They were acquired between 1587 and 1703. Here the crocodile recalls Egypt and the veterans settled in the colony. The place du Marché also has a crocodile fountain by Martial Raysse.
- Minted
- around 28 to 27 BC
- Reverse legend
- COL NEM
- Coat of arms
- 1535, under Francis I
- Starck logo
- 1985
- Town hall
- 4 crocodiles, acquired from 1587 to 1703