© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Brutus L·BRVTVS·PRIM·COS / M·BRVTVS·IMP COSTA·LEG 43 BC - 42 BC
| Gold | 8.08 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 43 BC - 42 BC |
| Value | Aureus (25) |
| Currency | Denarius of 16 Asses (141 – 27 BC) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 8.08 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#360333 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Head of Brutus, right, bearded.
Oak-wreath as border.
Script: Latin
Lettering: M·BRVTVS·IMP COSTA·LEG
Comment
Less than ten pieces known.This incredible issue displays the famous Brutus, assassin of Caesar, with his ancestor, Lucius Junius Brutus, the first Consul of the Republic. The portraits are enclosed by the corona civica - an honored bestowed for displaying patriotism by saving lives of their comrades in battle, or by rescuing the Republic itself from peril. Pedanius Costa was a lieutenant of Brutus in Asia, during the Civil War.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Brutus coin is that it features the image of Marcus Junius Brutus, one of the conspirators who assassinated Julius Caesar, on the obverse (front side), while the reverse (back side) bears the image of a lictor, a symbol of Roman authority and power. This coin was minted during Brutus' brief reign as a Roman consul in 43 BC, just a year before his death in 42 BC. Despite its historical significance, the coin is relatively rare and highly sought after by collectors, with some specimens selling for tens of thousands of dollars at auction.
