BRUTUS ' IDES OF MARCH ' AUREUS - The most valuable Roman Coin in existence
Obverse: Bare Head of Brutus right, wearing slight beard. Text around: BRVT IMP L PLAET CEST (Brutus, Imperator, Lucius Plaetorius Cestianus).
Reverse: Pileus (cap of liberty), a symbol of patriotism associated with Castor and Pollux, the mythical patrons of the Roman Army, between two daggers of different designs, representing the weapons used by Brutus and Cassius in the assassination of Caesar. Text in exergue: EID MAR an abbreviation of ‘EIDIBVS MARTIIS’ (the Ides of March).
Obverse: Bare Head of Brutus right, wearing slight beard. Text around: BRVT IMP L PLAET CEST (Brutus, Imperator, Lucius Plaetorius Cestianus).
Reverse: Pileus (cap of liberty), a symbol of patriotism associated with Castor and Pollux, the mythical patrons of the Roman Army, between two daggers of different designs, representing the weapons used by Brutus and Cassius in the assassination of Caesar. Text in exergue: EID MAR an abbreviation of ‘EIDIBVS MARTIIS’ (the Ides of March).
Obverse: Bare Head of Brutus right, wearing slight beard. Text around: BRVT IMP L PLAET CEST (Brutus, Imperator, Lucius Plaetorius Cestianus).
Reverse: Pileus (cap of liberty), a symbol of patriotism associated with Castor and Pollux, the mythical patrons of the Roman Army, between two daggers of different designs, representing the weapons used by Brutus and Cassius in the assassination of Caesar. Text in exergue: EID MAR an abbreviation of ‘EIDIBVS MARTIIS’ (the Ides of March).
42 BC. Military mint traveling with Brutus and Cassius in western Asia Minor or northern Greece, late summer-autumn 42.
The coin, known as the “Eid Mar” and valued at $4.2 million, features the face of Marcus Junius Brutus, the onetime friend and ally of Caesar who, along with other Roman senators, murdered him on the Ides of March in 44 B.C. According to historians and experts, Brutus had the coins minted in gold and silver to applaud Caesar’s downfall and to pay his soldiers during the civil war that followed the killing.