The Other Brutus

Initially, I was attempting to bid on a superb 'flagship' Greek Tet--- hoping to eventually purchase 3-5 from various eras/geographical areas---but my bid/maximum was blown out of the water and I so went after three Roman Republic examples instead, winning just one and losing out on Marcus Junius Brutus (the Brutus) as well as another example of the other Brutus.

Most of us are aware that there were more than one 'Cassius' or 'Brutus'. The most familiar were the two that were defeated during two separate battles against Octavian and Antony at Philippi circa 42 BC; both were involved in the plot against Caesar.... and all have come down through history as either 'assassins' or 'tyrannides'. I won this denarius of DECIMUS Junius Brutus---probably better known as Decimus Albinus Postumius, reflecting his name change after adoption.

We are all familiar with the suicide of Marcus Brutus after his defeat at the battle of Philippi, but less so with the fate of Decimus. Actually, Decimus served under Julius Caesar against Vercingetorix in Gaul. And later, after his participation in the assassination of Caesar, he was blockaded and placed under siege at Mutina by Mark Anthony and was eventually saved by the relief armies of the Republican consuls Hirtius and Pansa, both of whom died shortly after the battle. This 'Brutus', now known as Decimus Postumius Albinus, subsequently assumed supreme command of the republican armies, pursued the retreating Antony into Gaul where the veterans of Caesar's army under Decimius' command apparently refused to fight against Antony and deserted to their former Caesarian General. Shortly thereafter, the 'betrayed' Decimus was captured by a Gallic warrior and executed on Antony's orders.

AR denarius of D Junius Brutus Albinus
Rome mint, struck 48 BC; 4.17 grams, 14 mm
Bust of Pietas right, wearing earrings and necklace; PIETAS at left.
ALBINVS BRV(TI F)--- Albinus Bruti Filius
Good faith/clasped hands holding winged caduceus.

Please share ANY coin of the type

 

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Beautiful coin MZ. I hope to add a coin of M. J. Brutus to my collection soon.

 

What a beautiful coin with an exquisitely rendered caduceus.

 

A couple other types of this guy:

 

Very nice Mikey.

 

Beautiful coin, Mikey.

 

Very nice MZ OP coin

I do have one


Albinus Bruti F., Denarius Rome mint, 48 BC
PIETAS, head of Pietas right
ALBINVS BRVTI F, clasped hands holding winged caduceus
3.83 gr
Ref : HCRI # 26, RCV # 427, RSC, Postumia # 10

Q

 

nice new RR MZ....and everyone else, some great lookin' coins here!


good write up also, i wasn't familiar with this guy.

 

Fascinating write-up and most excellent coin of the "other Brutus." Keep'em coming @Mikey Zee

 

According to Historian, Nicolaus of Damascus, Junius Brutus dealt the final blow to Caesar; striking him in the side. I'm glad he isn't as popular, historically, compared to the other Brutusi. It keeps his coins relatively cheap; although his story is fascinating.

 

Wonderful posts everyone!!! I wish the reverse of mine was as nicely centered as all of yours...

So many terrific examples of this Brutus! Keep em' coming...All types of Pietas and the clasped hands/caduceus are also welcome

Love the coin and added info @iamtiberius...and couldn't agree more..

Of course, as usual, @Volodya posts are simply superb!!

 

My example of Brutus Albinus is below. I acquired this coin at the 2016 NYINC. It was displayed in the Cincinnati Museum of Artfor many years. It has stunning, rainbow toning on the reverse that is not captured very well in this photo!

 

You would probably win "Albinus on Cointalk" if you posted a better photo. Please attempt; because that toning, centering, and caduceus are incredible. Look at the details on those fingers. Literally, the best eye appeal I've seen on one.

 

Wow @Carausius that is a stunning coin!

 

Thanks for the kind comments. Coin is at the bank, so I cannot easily reshoot a photo, but I have attached a better, old auction photo of the coin below. Amazing what 15 years in a one-sided museum display will do to toning. Needless to say, the obverse is facing-up in my trays. It has some catching-up to do.

 

@mikey, I am going to cheat (please)... I do NOT have Decimus, although I have been looking. I do have "the" Brutus, his Brother, as Moneyer in which he is honoring their past Great REPUBLICAN Ancestors:


Roman Republic
AR Denarius
BRVTVS / AHALA
Struck by the famous Marcus Junius Brutus when he was moneyer in 54 BCE
Obv: Bust of L. Junius Brutus, the Consul of 509 BC
Rev: Bust of C. Servilius Ahala, master of horse, 439 BC.
Ref:Sear 398. Crawford 433/2. Junia 1
Ex: From the awesome collection of our Good Man - Warren Esty.

 

Now that photo does that gorgeous coin justice!!

LOVE that coin @Alegandron !!! That is the denarius of 'THE BRUTUS' that got away from me...

 

Uh-oh... were we competing with each other? I just VINI VIDI VICI'd it when I saw it on Warren's site!

 

LOL.... NO Brian, I was going after another example while also missing out on that additional example of 'Albinus' that I mentioned in the OP.

BTW: I did score a really cool and odd RR denarius in their stead that I'll post in a few days

 

I like Odd "Schtuff"!!!