LYCAONIA. Iconium. 1/3 Assarion (Orichalcum, 18 mm, 4.22 g, 12 h), Marcus Annius Afrinus, legatus augusti, circa 49-54. ANNIOC AΦPЄINOC Bare head of Annius Afrinus to right. Rev. KΛAVΔЄIKONIЄωN Perseus standing front, head to left, holding harpa in his right hand and head of Medusa with his left. RPC I 3543. Von Aulock, Lykaonien, 245-249. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. With a splendid portrait and a beautiful dark olive green patina. Good very fine.

Marcus Annius Afrinus was the legatus augusti of Galatia under Claudius and one of the last Roman officials from outside the imperial domus to appear on a coin with his own portrait. In about 67, Afrinus became consul suffectus (CIL IV 1544) and in 69/70, he was Vespasian's legate of the province Pannonia Superior (CIL III 4109), proving that he successfully maneuvered through the turbulent civil wars of 68/9 that ended so many political careers