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159
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Session Five - Tuesday, February 14th 10:00am PST
1985
Albinus Bruti f. Silver Denarius (4.09 g), 48 BC
. Rome.
PIETAS behind, bare head of Pietas right.
Reverse:
ALBINVS
BRVTI F, clasped hands holding winged caduceus. Crawford
450/2; HCRI 26; Sydenham 942; Postumia 10. Lustrous.
Nearly Mint State
.
Estimate Value ......................................................$500 - 600
The Aurora Family Collection, purchased in 1969.
The moneyer, Decimus Junius Brutus, is better known to us
than are most moneyers as he saw extensive service under
Caesar during the Gallic Wars and was later made governor of
Transalpine Gaul. Additionally, he was made Caesar' s heir
should Octavius reject the inheritance. Despite the favor Caesar
showed him, he was amongst the conspirators in his assassina-
tion (he should not be confused with M. Junius Brutus, however,
who was one of the principals of the conspiracy). The types
chosen for this coin advertise Caesar' s leniency in dealing with
those Romans who had opposed him, Pietas personifying devo-
tion and love of country, and the clasped hands an obvious
symbol of reconciliation. The winged caduceus is most associ-
ated as the attribute of the personification of Felicitas, and here
represents the beneficial outcome of Caesar' s clemency.
1986
L. Hostilius Saserna. Silver Denarius (3.98 g), 48 BC
.
Rome. Diademed female head (Pietas or Clementia?) right,
wreathed with oak.
Reverse:
L HOSTILIVS [S]ASERNA, Victory
running right, holding winged caduceus and trophy. Crawford
448/1a; CRI 17; Sydenham 951; Hostilia 5. Lustrous.
Nearly
Mint State
.
Estimate Value ......................................................$400 - 500
Enlargement
1987
Albinus Bruti f. Silver Denarius (3.81 g), 48 BC
. Rome.
Helmeted head of Mars right.
Reverse:
ALBINVS BRVTI F, two
crossed Gallic trumpets; between, oval shield above, round
shield below. Crawford 450/1a; HCRI 25; Sydenham 941; Pos-
tumia 11.
Choice Very Fine
.
Estimate Value ..................................................... $300 - 400
The Aurora Family Collection.