BITHYNIA. Apamea. Agrippa, died 12 BC, with Agrippa Postumus, Caesar, 4-6 AD. Assarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 3.26 g, 12 h). M AGRIPPA TR POT C I C Bare head of Agrippa to right. Rev. [A]GRIPPA•AVG NE[PO] Head of Agrippa Postumus to right. RPC I 2011. Very rare and of great historical interest. Nearly fine.



Agrippa Postumus was born three months after his father, Agrippa, passed away in 12 BC, hence the epithet 'Postumus.' The son of Augustus' greatest general and his daughter, Julia, Postumus was closely associated with the imperial domus. Initially, Augustus refrained from adopting the young boy so that he would carry on the name of his closest friend. However, after the deaths of Lucius and Gaius in 2 and 4 AD, respectively, the emperor adopted both Tiberius and Agrippa Postumus, his only remaining biological grandson.

Unfortunately, the young prince showed little interest in politics and soon gained a reputation for brutality, insolence, and violence, prompting Augustus to depose and exile him in 6 AD. From 7 AD onwards, Postumus was held captive on the tiny island of Planasia (Pianosa), some 13 km south of Elba. Tacitus and Cassius Dio report that Augustus visited his grandson shortly before his death in 14 AD, leading to the rumor that the old emperor intended to appoint Postumus as his successor. However, there is no evidence for this, and Postumus was killed either shortly before or after Tiberius' accession to power on 19 August 14 AD.