Albinus Bruti f, 48 BC. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 3.52 g, 7 h), Rome. A POSTVMIVS COS Bare head of the consul Aulus Postumius Albinus right. Rev. ALBINVS / BRVTI F in two lines within a wreath of grain ears. Babelon (Postumia) 13. Crawford 450/3a. CRI 27. Sydenham 943. A nice, well centered and realistic portrait of the moneyer's ancestor. A few minor marks on obverse and a planchet flaw on reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
In the houses of Rome's elite citizens was usually a room devoted to the remembrance of the family's ancestors, often with death masks molded directly from the face of the recently departed. The portrait of the consul Aulus Postumius Albinus on this coin is so realistic that it was perhaps copied from his actual death mask.
Price realized | 750 CHF |
Starting price | 200 CHF |