Albinus Bruti f, 48 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.72 g, 9 h), Rome. A] POSTVMIVS COS Bare head of A. Postumius to right. Rev. ALBINV / BRVTI•F within wreath of grain ears. Babelon (Postumia) 14 and (Junia) 29. Crawford 450/3a. CRI 27. RBW 1578. Sydenham 943a. Lightly toned. Struck from somewhat worn dies, otherwise, very fine.



It is not entirely certain whose portrait appears on the obverse of this wonderful denarius: it could be either the consul of 151 BC, Aulus Postumius Albinus, or the consul of the same name from 99 BC. The latter is more likely, and he may have been the adoptive father of the moneyer, Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus (not to be confused with Junius Brutus!), who in just a few years would become one of the leading instigators of Julius Caesar's assassination. The reverse type, consisting only of the moneyer's name within a wreath of grain ears, seems to indicate that he was responsible for supplying Rome with grain at some point during a time of hardship.