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 remarkable denarius: it could be either Aulus Postumius Albinus, consul in 151 BC, 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 would later become one of the key instigators of Julius Caesar's assassination. The reverse type, featuring the moneyer's name within a wreath of grain ears, suggests that he was responsible for supplying Rome during a time of hardship.