Crawford 252/1, Roman Republic, 131 BC., moneyer Lucius Postumius Albinus, Denarius

Roman Republic (Rome mint 131 BC.), moneyer Lucius Postumius Albinus.
AR Denarius (19-20 mm, 3,82 g), silver, axis about medal alignment ?? (ca. 20°),
Obv.: Head of Roma with winged helmet right; behind, apex; under chin, mark of value XVI monogram (representing a value of 16 As in Roman numerals).
Rev.: L. POST. ALB / ROMA , Mars in quadriga r., holding spear, shield, reins and trophy.
Crawford 252/1 ; Syd. 472 ; Bab. Postumia 1 .
toned

The gens Postumia was a noble patrician family at ancient Rome. Throughout the history of the Republic, the Postumii frequently occupied the chief magistracies of the Roman state, beginning with Publius Postumius Tubertus, consul in 505 BC, the fifth year of the Republic. Although like much of the old Roman aristocracy, the Postumii faded for a time into obscurity under the Empire, individuals bearing the name of Postumius again filled a number of important offices from the second century AD to the end of the Western Empire. Lucius Postumius (L. f. Sp. n.) Albinus has been triumvir monetalis in 131 BC.

The apex - a tight fitting leather cap with a metal peak - was the insignia of the flamen. The flamines in Rome were a board of 15 priests, who were responsible each for the worship and temple of one special god. The three most important flamines took care of the cult of Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus. The ancestor of this moneyer, Lucius Postumius Albinus was 'flamen martialis' (priest of Mars) in 168 BC, one of the three major flamines. The flamens are topped with the galerus or conical white leather cap, surmounted by the apex (tip). Lucius Postumius Albinus will later be aedile curule in 161 and consul in 154 BC The reverse could in fact refer to the victory won by Lucius Postumius Albinus, consul in 173 BC who had triumphed over the Basques (Vascones) and Lusitanians (Lusitani).