The Republicans. Brutus. Late summer-autumn 42 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.60 g, 12h). Military mint traveling with Brutus and Cassius in western Asia Minor or northern Greece; P. Servilius Casca Longus, moneyer. Laureate and bearded head of Neptune right; trident below, CASCA upward to left, LONGVS upward to right / Victory advancing right on broken scepter, holding palm frond in left hand over left shoulder and broken diadem bound with fillet in both hands; BRVTVS upward to left, IMP upward to right. Crawford 507/2; CRI 212; Sydenham 1298; RSC 3; BMCRR East 63-5; Kestner 3779; RBW 1780. Lightly toned, with golden red iridescence, minor pitting, small scrape on reverse. Good VF.
From the CLA Collection. Ex CNG inventory 720323 (3 May 2000).
P. Servilius Casca Longus was one of the leading conspirators against Caesar and was actually the first to plunge his dagger into the dictator on the Ides of March, 15 March, 44 BC. He later joined Brutus in the East and was entrusted with the command of a fleet. He fought bravely at Philippi, but when it became clear that all was lost he emulated his commander by committing suicide. This remarkable type, issued in the months preceding Philippi, graphically symbolizes the anticipated defeat of the forces of tyranny which, in the view of the ‘liberators’, were aiming at the destruction of Rome’s republican constitution and its replacement by an autocratic form of government. It is ironic that while Casca’s denarius depicts Victory breaking the diadem of royal power, his aureus shows Brutus’ portrait surrounded by a similar symbol of regal or even divine status. The appearance of Neptune, god of the sea, is probably in celebration of Cassius’ naval exploits against the Rhodians.
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