M. Junius Brutus. 54 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.89 gm). bare head of L. Junius Brutus right; BRVTVS behind / Bare head of C. Servilius Ahala right; AHALA behind. Crawford 433/2; Sydenham 907; Junia 30. Good VF.
The reverse type of this coin recalls the expulsion of the Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome, by L. Junius Brutus, the moneyer's ancestor,who in 509 BC was elected the first consul of the newly formed Republic. M. Junius Brutus held strong republican views and was opposed to Pompey's intentions of achieving sole rule. At the urging of Julius Caesar, he retired to private life after being accused of conspiracy against Pompey. Later, he took up the cause of Pompey against Caesar and was an active participant in the assassination of Caesar. He met his own death on the battlefield of Philippi, opposing Caesar's successors Antony and Octavian.
