Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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The Republicans. Brutus. Late summer-autumn 42 BC. Fourrée Denarius (19mm, 2.49 g, 9h). Mint moving with Brutus in northern Greece; L. Plaetorius Cestianus, magistrate. Bare head of Brutus right / Pileus between two daggers pointing downward; EID • MAR below. Cf. Crawford 508/3; Campana, Eid Mar, P1-8 (dies OP1/RP1); cf. CRI 216; cf. Sydenham 1301; cf. RSC 15; RBW –. Toned, large area of broken plating on reverse, some scratches and scrapes. Fine. Very rare, thirteen fourrées listed in Campana, two additional specimens in CoinArchives, including this coin.
Ex Bellwether Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 115, 16 September 2020), lot 604 (where it hammered for $5,000); Classical Numismatic Group Inventory 91549 (20 May 1996); Dix and Webb 21 (27 March 1996), lot 43.
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], 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.
Ex Bellwether Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 115, 16 September 2020), lot 604 (where it hammered for $5,000); Classical Numismatic Group Inventory 91549 (20 May 1996); Dix and Webb 21 (27 March 1996), lot 43.
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], 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.