The Republicans. Brutus. Late summer-autumn 42 BC. Fourrée Denarius (18mm, 3.43 g, 6h). Military mint traveling with Brutus and Cassius in western Asia Minor or northern Greece; L. Plaetorius Cestianus, magistrate. Good VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 623. Estimated: $ 50 000

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 75 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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The Republicans. Brutus. Late summer-autumn 42 BC. Fourrée Denarius (18mm, 3.43 g, 6h). Military mint traveling with Brutus and Cassius in western Asia Minor or northern Greece; L. Plaetorius Cestianus, magistrate. Bare head of Brutus right; BRVT above, IMP to right, L • PLAET • CEST around to left / Pileus between two daggers pointing downward; EID • MAR below. Cf. Crawford 508/3; Campana, Eid Mar, P13 (dies OP6/RP6) = Cahn 29a (this coin); cf. CRI 216; cf. Sydenham 1301; cf. RSC 15; cf. BMCRR East 68-70; Kestner –; RBW –. Toned, small planchet delamination in obverse field, minor marks and scratches. Good VF. Very rare, three fourrées cited in Cahn, thirteen listed in Campana, two additional specimens in CoinArchives, including this coin. One of the finest quality fourrées known.

From the Father & Son Collection, purchased from ArtAncient on VCoins in 2016 ($89,000). Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 83 (20 May 2015), lot 498 (hammer CHF 52,500); Sternberg 15 (11 April 1985), lot 297.

One of the most important coins associated with an event in ancient history, this denarius pointedly commemorates the assassination of Julius Caesar by depicting the perpetrator of the act (Brutus), by naming the date of the act (EID[ibus] MAR[tiis], and by displaying the instruments of the act (daggers) between the reason for the act (the pileus [freedman’s cap] as a symbol of liberty). Though many senators plotted against Caesar and are collectively represented by the two daggers, the portrait of Brutus alone emphasizes his primary role in the conspiracy.

The only securely identified portraits of Brutus occur on coins inscribed with his name; all others, whether on coins or other artifacts, are identified based on the three issues inscribed BRVTVS IMP (on aurei) or BRVT IMP (on denarii). A careful study of Brutus’ portraits by S. Nodelman segregates these inscribed portraits into three main categories: a ‘baroque’ style portrait on the aurei of Casca, a ‘neoclassical’ style on the aurei of Costa, and a ‘realistic’ style on the ‘EID MAR’ denarii, which Nodelman describes as “the soberest and most precise” of all.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Two – Lot 338–647 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 9 January 2024 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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