Lot 2082

Description

M. Junius Brutus, (c.54 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.89 grams), obv. head of Libertas to right, draped, around LIBERTAS, rev. L. Iunius Brutus the Consul of 509 B.C., walking left between two lictors and proceded by an accensus, in exergue BRVTVS, (S.397 [EF £275], Cr.433/1, Syd.906). Nice dark toning, attractive style, extremely fine and very rare in this condition.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 50 (lot 2254). The career of Marcus Junius Brutus generally parallels that of his fellow conspirator Cassius. He was initially a moneyer in 54 B.C. and struck this coinage with its strong Republican values which he held, that led him, to take part in the assassination a decade later of Julius Caesar. He was shown special favour by Caesar, who appointed him governor of Cisalpine Gaul in 46 B.C. and urban praetor two later. He was the ringleader in Caesar's assassination and fled Rome. He spurned the province legally granted him an instead occupied Greece, where he proceeded to assemble troops and raise money until the Senate legalised his actions in February of 43 B.C. by voting him the command of Illyria, Macedonia and Achaea. Though allied with Cassius, he campaigned seperately in order to maximize the revenues available to the Republican cause. Eventually the two joined forces in Summer of 42 B.C. for the fatal confrontation with the triumvirs Antony and Octavian at Philippi, which resulted in defeat. He took his own life.