GENEVA.- A rare gold coin bearing the portrait of Marcus Junius Brutus, the famed assassin of Julius Caesar, will be auctioned during an exclusive event organized by the specialized auction house NGSA on December 9 & 10 at the Beau-Rivage Genève. This extraordinary opportunity allows historians and collectors to acquire a coin of the highest rarity that has not been auctioned for over 20 years. The aureus, minted shortly before the famed Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, is one of only 17 known specimens and will start at CHF 750,000. Its reappearance in the numismatic world sheds new light on the turbulent era that followed Caesars assassination on the Ides of March in 44 BC.
This coin, of immense historical importance both artistically and politically, reflects the contradictions of Brutus, who became a war leader despite himself. While he championed Republican ideals, Brutus issued coins featuring his own image to rally military support. This aureus, with the name of Publius Servilius Casca Longus inscribed on the reverse, symbolizes Brutuss recent military victories in Thrace and Lycia, as well as Cassiuss naval successes. It bears witness to the battles between the Liberatores and the Caesareans.
One can imagine, under the stormy skies of ancient Rome, a glimmer of gold emerging from historys shadows: the aureus of Brutus, the noble-hearted traitor, the man who dared to defy a dictator. A simple gold coin, struck before the fateful Battle of Philippi, bears the face of the conspirator who saw himself as the Republics liberator. This coin is a testament to an era where ambition and loyalty clashed in a dance of power and betrayal. Over the centuries, the aureus has journeyed from hand to hand, hidden from prying eyes, safeguarding the secrets of a burning Rome. Today, it resurfaces, whispering its tale to eager collectors of the great men and dark days that shaped the Empire's destiny.
The Brutus aureus will be part of a catalogue featuring coins from prestigious collections, delighting historians, connoisseurs, and international collectors alike. This event offers an extraordinary chance to acquire a piece of Roman history tied to the final chapters of the Republic.