© Roma Numismatics Limited
© Roma Numismatics Limited
Aureus - Brutus RVT IMP L•PLAET•CEST / EID•MAR 42 BC
42 BC year| Gold | 8.06 g | 19.9 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
| Type | Circulating commemorative coin |
| Year | 42 BC |
| Value | Aureus (25) |
| Currency | Denarius of 16 Asses (141 – 27 BC) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 8.06 g |
| Diameter | 19.9 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#242950 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Pileus between two daggers; below, inscription. Border of dots.
Script: Latin
Lettering: EID•MAR
Unabridged legend: Eidibus Martiis
Translation: Ides of March.
Edge
Gross
Comment
The Ides of March are a day of celebrations dedicated to the god Mars, corresponding to March 15th in the Roman calendar. This same day saw the assassination of Julius Caesar, eventually involving Brutus.
This coin is of particular interest as it combines on obverse the only known portrait of Brutus on a coin and on reverse an unabashed celebration of the assassination of Julius Caesar.
There are 3 known examples of this coin in gold.
Biaggi 39.
Minted by the military mint travelling with Brutus in the East, late summer-autumn, 42 BC.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Brutus coin is that it features the image of 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 republicanism, holding a fasces, a bundle of rods that symbolized the power of the Roman state. This coin was minted in 42 BC, just a year after Caesar's assassination, and it is believed that Brutus had the coins minted to promote his image as a champion of liberty and to justify his role in Caesar's death.
