★ Non-imperial Portrait on a Provincial Issue ★

AEOLIS. Temnus. Asinius Gallus, proconsul, 5 BC. (Bronze, 16 mm, 3.12 g, 12 h), struck under the magistrate Apollas, son of Phainias. [ΑϹΙΝΙΟC ΓΑΛΛΟC ΑΓΝΟC] Bare head of Asinius Gallus to right. Rev. [ΑΠΟΛΛΑC ΦΑΙΝΙΟΥ ΤΑΜΝΙΤΑΝ] Head of Dionysus to right, wearing wreath of ivy. BMC 24. RPC I 2447. SNG Copenhagen 276. Rare. Greenish brown patina. Rough surfaces, otherwise, good fine.

From the collection of a scholar.

This important coin represents a rare example of a non-imperial portrait on a provincial issue. The portrait may perhaps hint at Gallus' ambitions, which Augustus is said to have thought included even the principate (Tac. Ann. 1.13). Unfortunately, Gallus later offended Tiberius and found himself arrested in AD 30. He was starved to death after spending three years in prison.