70
3088
Brutus. Silver Denarius (3.76 g), 42 BC.
Military mint traveling with Brutus
and Cassius in western Asia Minor or northern Greece. L. Plaetorius Cestia-
nus, moneyer. L PLAET CEST behind, laureate, veiled and draped female bust
right, her head surmounted by polos.
Reverse:
BRVT IMP, sacrificial axe and
simpulum (or culullis). Crawford 508/2; HCRI 214; Sydenham 1300; RSC 2.
Very Rare.
Boldly struck in high relief and fine style. A lovely example with
attractive old cabinet toning.
Extremely Fine.
The identification of the female depicted on the obverse is uncertain. Older
catalogues refer to her as Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, while
Crawford suggests Diana, but the type is ambiguous. Like the earlier issue in
the nameof Brutus struck byCassius’ legate, P. Lentulus Spinther, on the reverse
we seeagain Brutus’ priestly emblems of thepontificate, suggesting thedivine
right of the liberators’ cause. The issue was struck immediately preceding the
fateful battle of Philippi, and was perhaps Brutus’ penultimate issue, the last
of course being the renowned Eid Mar type which also appears in this sale.
Estimated Value...................................................................... $25,000 - 30,000
Ex NAC 70 (16 May 2013), 184; Virgil M. Brand Collection, pt. 3 (Sotheby’s,
9 June 1983), 238; Ernst Herzfelder Collection (Brüder Egger XLIII, 14 April
1913), 55.
