Chaponnière & Firmenich SA
Auction 13 16 May 2021
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ROMAN REPUBLIC. C. Cassius Longinus and Lentulus Spinter. Aureus 43-42 BC. Mint moving with Cassius. Obv. C CASSI IMP - LEIBERTAS. Diademed head of Vesta right. Rev. LENTVLVS SPINT. Sacrificial vase and lituus. RRC 500/2; Calicó 65; Babelon (Cassia) 15; Sydenham 1306; Cohen 3; Bahrfeldt 58. AU. 7.95 g. XF
Ex. Munzen & Medaillen AG auction 43, 12-13 November 1970, lot 237; Ex Vinchon auction, 23-24 April 1976, lot 210.
In 43 BC, Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus form a second Triumvirate to put an end to the chaos generated by the death
of Julius Caesar. At the end of the year 42, the forces that had remained loyal to Caesar and led by the Triumvirs confront the
Republican army, federated around Cassius and Brutus, the assassins of the dictator. During the second battle of Philippi in
Macedonia, Octavian's legions, associated with Mark Antony's fleet and troops, succeed in defeating the armies of Cassius and
Brutus, forcing the latter to commit suicide in October of the same year. Cassius would be pierced by the lance of his most
faithful soldier, and only the head of Brutus would return to Rome. Learning this terrible news, the latter's wife, Porcia, the
daughter of Cato of Utica, also preferred to put herself to death by swallowing burning charcoal, but her suicide, was mostly
probably by carbon monoxide poisoning from inhaling the toxic gazes. This famous scene is reproduced on a magnificent painting
by Pierre Mignard (1612-1695), from the collections of Robien, still conserved in Rennes.
Ex. Munzen & Medaillen AG auction 43, 12-13 November 1970, lot 237; Ex Vinchon auction, 23-24 April 1976, lot 210.
In 43 BC, Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus form a second Triumvirate to put an end to the chaos generated by the death
of Julius Caesar. At the end of the year 42, the forces that had remained loyal to Caesar and led by the Triumvirs confront the
Republican army, federated around Cassius and Brutus, the assassins of the dictator. During the second battle of Philippi in
Macedonia, Octavian's legions, associated with Mark Antony's fleet and troops, succeed in defeating the armies of Cassius and
Brutus, forcing the latter to commit suicide in October of the same year. Cassius would be pierced by the lance of his most
faithful soldier, and only the head of Brutus would return to Rome. Learning this terrible news, the latter's wife, Porcia, the
daughter of Cato of Utica, also preferred to put herself to death by swallowing burning charcoal, but her suicide, was mostly
probably by carbon monoxide poisoning from inhaling the toxic gazes. This famous scene is reproduced on a magnificent painting
by Pierre Mignard (1612-1695), from the collections of Robien, still conserved in Rennes.