Lot 4754

Description

Q. Servilius Caepio (M. Junius Brutus), (54 B.C.), silver denarius, (3.75 g), obv. bare head of L. Junius Brutus to right, BRVTVS behind, rev. bare head of C. Servilius Ahala to right, AHALA behind, (S.398, Cr.433/2, Syd 907, RSC Junia 30). Toned, with attractive grey patination, struck slightly off centre on obverse, otherwise extremely fine with superb portraits, rare.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection and from Stacks, New York, Auction Sale December 7-8, 1994 (lot 2144), with ticket.
The young moneyer Brutus issued this coin in commemoration of his illustrious family. C. Servilius Ahala murdered Spurius Maelius in 439 B.C. alleging that he was an enemy of the state. Brutus would go on to be the most famous assassin of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. It is suggested that this coin was struck when Brutus was a young man and is consequently of great historical significance for it points to his ancestors and implies his political views, ie. Republican. Q. Caepio Brutus is better known as M. Junius Brutus, one of the assassins of Julius Caesar. He was adopted by his uncle, Q. Servilius Caepio, hence the inscription on some of his coins we find the name Q. Caepio Brutus.