Pre-Long Beach Auction #80

Brutus. Silver Denarius (3.75 g), 42 BC. Military mint, probably at Smyrna. P. Lentulus Spinther, legate. BRVTVS below, simpulus between sacrificial axe and knife. Reverse LENTVLVS/SPINT in two lines below, jug and lituus. Crawford 500/7; HCRI 198; Sydenham 1310; RSC 6. Boldly struck and well centered on a borad flan, all lightly toned. Superb Extremely Fine.

The types chosen for this issue indicate both Brutus' membership in the college of pontifices and the legate's, P. Lentulus Spinther, membership in the augurate. The pontificate and augurate were Rome's foremost priestly colleges, the former supervising all of the other priestly colleges, and the later being responsible for reading the signs of the gods to determine whether or not an anticipated undertaking would be divinely supported or opposed. The priestly symbols on this issue, which was struck to pay the military expenses of the tyrannicides while preparing for the expected showdown with the Triumvirs, suggests divine support and the just nature of their cause.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.