Rare Gold Coin of Caesar’s Assassin Brutus Sells for $2 Million in Intense Auction!
A rare gold coin featuring Brutus, the man who betrayed Caesar, sells for over $2 million—sparking intense bidding and controversy. 🌐 #News #Lifestyle #History #Auctions
ST. PAUL, MN – A rare gold coin featuring Marcus Junius Brutus, the senator who famously betrayed and assassinated Julius Caesar, has sold for an astonishing $2 million at auction. The coin, minted shortly after Caesar’s death in 44 B.C.E., not only marks a pivotal moment in Roman history but also serves as a symbol of Brutus’ ambition to elevate his own image following the murder. This rare piece of ancient currency has captivated collectors worldwide, nearly doubling its pre-auction estimate.
A Glimpse into Ancient Rome
This gold coin, known as an aureus, was issued between 43 and 42 B.C.E., shortly after Brutus played a key role in the assassination of Caesar.
On one side of the coin is Brutus’ profile surrounded by a laurel wreath, a common symbol of honor and victory in ancient Rome. The reverse side features military equipment: a breastplate, helmet, shield, and spears, emphasizing Brutus’ military achievements.
The inclusion of the letters “IMP” near his image indicates that he was promoting himself as a leader, although he never held the title of emperor.
The Propaganda Behind the Coin
The aureus wasn’t just a currency—it was a tool for propaganda. Minted not in Rome, but at a mobile mint that traveled with Brutus and his armies, the coin was likely used to pay his soldiers. At the time, its value was approximately equal to a month’s wages for a Roman soldier.
Brutus likely used this gold currency as a means of gaining support, reinforcing his role as a military leader with hopes of securing power in the wake of Caesar’s assassination. The design, with its military imagery and Brutus’ own portrait, reflects his desire to position himself as a ruler, even though history would not grant him that title.
The Auction and Its Controversy
The gold aureus sparked intense bidding before finally selling for $2 million to an unnamed European collector, well beyond its initial estimate. It had previously been part of the collection of Giuseppe Mazzini, a 20th-century Italian politician.
Only 17 such coins are known to exist, which made this one particularly valuable. However, the coin’s authenticity had been questioned in the past due to minor design discrepancies noted in a journal nearly a decade ago. Despite these doubts, experts have certified the coin as genuine, confirming its place in the annals of ancient Roman history.
RELATED TOPICS: Europe | History | Italy
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