Lot 4410

Description

A. Postumius A.f.Sp. n. Albinus, (81 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome Mint, (4.06 g), obv. head veiled of Hispania to right, with dishevelled hair, HISPAN downwards, border of dots, rev. togate figure to left with right hand raised, standing between legionary eagle and fasces with axe, in field AL(ligated)BIN /A to left, and .S.N to right, POST.A.F in exergue, serated edge, (S.297, C.372/2, Syd 746, BMC 2839, RSC Postumia 8 [p.82]). Toned, extremely fine and very scarce.

The moneyer is presumably a grandson of Sp.Postumius Albinus a Consul in 110 B.C. and probably the adoptive father of Crawford 450. The reverse alludes to civilian and military imperium. The obverse type is a reference to the Spanish command of L. Postumius Albinus a Praetor in 80 B.C. It also relates to the successful expeditions against the Vaccaei and Lusitani and the levying of troops for this campaign.