Albinus Bruti f, 48 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 4.00 g, 2 h), Rome. A POSTVMIVS COS Bare head of A. Postumius to right. Rev. ALBINVS / BRVTI F within wreath of grain ears. Babelon (Postumia) 14 and (Junia) 29. Crawford 450/3a. CRI 27. RBW 1578. Sydenham 943a. Beautifully toned and with a wonderful portrait. Struck slightly off center, otherwise, about extremely fine.



It is not entirely certain whose portrait appears on the obverse of this wonderful denarius: it could either be the consul of 151 BC, Aulus Postumius Albinus, or the consul of 99 BC with the same name. The latter is more probable, 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 short years would become one of leading instigators of Julius Caesar's assassination. The reverse type, which consists merely of the moneyer's name contained within a wreath of grain ears, seems to suggest that he was responsible for supplying Rome at some point during a time of hardship with grain.