A rare EID MAR silver denarius minted under the reign of Brutus in 42 BC could make in excess of $250,000 at Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers' June 3-4 sale in Los Angeles.
The coin is one of the finest known examples of the coveted issue, which celebrates the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC (EID MAR referring to the Ides of March).
 The EID MAR denarius was issued to celebrate Caesar's death |
The daggers and pileus (a cap given to slaves when they were freed) symbolise the liberation of the people from the tyrant's rule.
It's interesting to note that one of Caesar's most heinous crimes, in the eyes of his assassins, was placing his own face on the coinage - becoming the first living Roman to do so.
Ironically, this coin features a portrait of Brutus and was issued in order to pay for the costs of the lengthy campaign against the various usurpers to the throne. He killed himself after defeat at the hands of Mark Antony at the battle of Phillipi in 42 BC.
Also on offer is a silver Parthian denarius featuring a profile of Brutus' co-collaborator Quintus Labienus who, after being exiled in Parthia after Phillipi, led a short-lived campaign against Rome in 40 BC.
The majority of the coins are thought to have been destroyed after his defeat. This example is valued at $150,000-200,000.
We have a superb selection of rare coins available.
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