Rare Roman Coin Featuring Brutus Up for Auction

A Piece of History

GENEVA: A Roman gold coin bearing the image of Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar, will go to auction in Geneva on Monday, with bids set to start above US$850,000.

“A numismatist’s eyes light up when beholding a coin like this,” because this is “a piece of history,” said Frank Baldacci, head of the Numismatica Genevensis (NGSA) auction house behind the sale.

The Coin’s Significance

The aureus, the gold coin currency used in ancient Rome, was issued by Brutus and his friends a year or two after they assassinated Roman ruler Caesar in 44 BC, he said.

The coin, which weighs eight grammes, is “of immense historical importance both artistically and politically,” NGSA said.

Unique Features

This particular aureus features Brutus’s profile framed with laurel leaves on one side. The other celebrates his recent military victories with warlike symbols. It is one of only 17 known examples.

Propaganda Value

The coin was “cast not in Rome but in a mint that travelled with Brutus and his armies as he tried to seize power after the assassination of Julius Caesar,” Baldacci said, adding that it had a “propaganda value.”

The laurel wreath is clearly a sign of “someone who wants to promote himself as emperor”, he said, pointing out that “IMP” – for emperor – was engraved next to Brutus’s face, even though he did not hold that title.

Exceptionally Rare

The coin was struck shortly before the fateful Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, which ended with Brutus killing himself after losing to Octavian and Mark Antony as they sought to avenge Caesar’s death.

The aureus has since travelled discreetly through the centuries, with little known about its owners along the way.

A Rare Opportunity

The coin is encased in an airtight box to prevent it from being altered, and to “guarantee its authenticity”, Baldacci said. Certification by specialists, he said, is done by among other things comparing a coin with other ancient coins and by examining the gold used.

Bidding Information

Bidding will start at 750,000 Swiss francs, but Baldacci said it would likely go for more than a million francs. “This could go quite high,” he told AFP, pointing out that the piece was a bit like “the Da Vinci of Roman coins.”

FAQs

* Q: How rare is the coin?
A: The coin is one of only 17 known examples.
* Q: Why is it so valuable?
A: The coin is of immense historical importance both artistically and politically, and its rarity makes it a highly sought-after piece.
* Q: How will the bidding process work?
A: Bidding will start at 750,000 Swiss francs, but it is expected to go for more than a million francs.
* Q: How can I ensure the authenticity of the coin?
A: The coin is encased in an airtight box to prevent it from being altered, and certification by specialists is done by comparing the coin with other ancient coins and examining the gold used.