This is among the most historically loaded coins ever struck in the ancient world. Issued by Brutus in his own name following the assassination of Julius Caesar, it commemorates the Ides of March — March 15, 44 BC — with a directness that no Roman had dared attempt on coinage before. The gold aureus of this type is exceptionally rare; the silver denarius of the same EID MAR issue is better known and itself commands extraordinary prices, but the aureus survives in only a handful of examples.
Lucius Plaetorius Cestianus served as Brutus's moneyer and is named on the issue — one of the last acts of Republican monetary authority before Octavian and Antony crushed the conspirators at Philippi in 42 BC, the very year of striking.
This is among the most historically loaded coins ever struck in the ancient world. Issued by Brutus in his own name following the assassination of Julius Caesar, it commemorates the Ides of March — March 15, 44 BC — with a directness that no Roman had dared attempt on coinage before. The gold aureus of this type is exceptionally rare; the silver denarius of the same EID MAR issue is better known and itself commands extraordinary prices, but the aureus survives in only a handful of examples.
Lucius Plaetorius Cestianus served as Brutus's moneyer and is named on the issue — one of the last acts of Republican monetary authority before Octavian and Antony crushed the conspirators at Philippi in 42 BC, the very year of striking.