Roman Republic (Imperatorial Period)

Brutus, Consul 42 BC

Crawford 507/1b; HCRI 211; Sydenham 1297; Bahrfeldt 65b; Calicó 56, Mint State

Military mint traveling with Brutus and Cassius in western Asia Minor or northern Greece. P. Servilius Casca Longus, moneyer. BRVTVS IMP, bare head of Brutus right, wearing short beard; all within laurel wreath. Reverse: CASCA LONGVS, combined army and naval trophy; at base, two prows, two shields, and a rudder; on left, between the two spears, the letter L (= Libertas or Lycia).

After the assassination of Julius Caesar, his killers were forced to flee to the East and raise armies for the inevitable war against Caesar’s lieutenant Mark Antony and his heir Octavian. This aureus was struck by M. Junius Brutus on the eve of the Battle of Philippi (42 BC) to expand the legionary and allied mercenary forces at his disposal. P. Servilius Casca Longus, a colleague in the murder of the dictator, is named on the reverse. He is said to have been the first to strike Caesar on the day of the assassination. Both men committed suicide after their defeat at Philippi.