[Image][Image] [Image] [Image] Search: [Image] Browse: [Image] sothebys.amazon.com / Coins & Medals / Ancient [item information] COINS: BRUTUS, Ides of This auction has Auction Details: March Denarius, the Nelson closed. Bunker Hunt specimen at a glance [Image]Ides of March Find items like this! bid history Denarius, the Nelson Bunker Hunt How bidding works at more pictures specimen, 43-42 AD, sothebys.amazon.com Cr-508/3, Syd-1301 (R9), [sothebys.amazon.com Guarantee] C-15 (350 Fr.); Cahn, [sothebys.amazon.com] Quaderni ticinesi 1989, no. 10b, pl.II (this coin). Obv: BRVT IMP L PLAET CEST Head o... read more Minimum Bid: $110,000.00 (No Reserve) Estimate: (110000 - (In U.S. 150000) Dollars) Closes In: Closed. Seller: hjbcoins See more by this seller Number of 0 (starting Bids: bid: $110,000.00) Quantity: 1 Location of item: Chicago, IL, United States Item Description -------------------------------------------------- [Image] click to see more pictures Description (guaranteed) Ides of March Denarius, the Nelson Bunker Hunt specimen, 43-42 AD, Cr-508/3, Syd-1301 (R9), C-15 (350 Fr.); Cahn, Quaderni ticinesi 1989, no. 10b, pl.II (this coin). Obv: BRVT IMP L PLAET CEST Head of Brutus r. Rx: EID MAR Liberty cap and two daggers. Ex Sotheby's, New York, 19 June 1990, N.B.Hunt, 119; Sternberg, 30 Nov. 1973, 10; Stack's, 20 Nov. 1967, H.P. McCollough, 1032; and Naville Ars Classica XV, 1930, Woodward, 1315. Also published in the Hunt exhibition catqalogue, Wealth of the Ancient World, no. 119. With this famous reverse type Brutus commemorates his assassination of Julius Caesar on the notorious Ides of March, 44 BC, and claims that the deed was done to secure liberty for the Roman people (the liberty cap). This sentiment does not prevent him, however, from placing his own portrait on the coin, like a Hellenistic monarch and like Caesar himself shortly before his death! This coin commemorates the most important single day event in ancient history. There is barely a person living in the Western world today who doesn't know the words written by William Shakespeare, "Et Tu Brute" or the words Eid Mar inscribed on the rx of this coin. The fact that a man would commit a political murder and put the date of that murder and the implements used to do it on the rx of the coin between which is a cap representing Liberty and freedom and on the other side, his portrait and his name with the inscription IMP or imperator is remarkable. On this coin, he not only commemorates the act and the day that he saved the Republic, but contradicts the meaning and spirit of the rx of the coin by placing his portrait on the obv and saluting himself as emperor. Somewhat more than 50 of these remarkable coins exist. The fact that far more than 50 people would like to own one, along with the additional fact that most of these coins are in museums, has created the justifiable price structure that exists today. Condition: This coin is nearly EF on the obv, save a hairline scratch from in back of Brutus' head to the tip of the T, which I noticed when I viewed the coin in 1990 at the Hunt Sale. The rx has two old hairlines above and to the left of the Liberty cap, but is otherwise EF. With its pedigree, this is one of the most famous of all the Eid Mar coins. -------------------------------------------------- Additional Specifications Number of Items in Lot: 1 Weight: 3.72g Shipping Information Estimated Shipping Info: (In U.S. Dollars) US: 1 UK: 1 Other: 1 Estimated Insurance: US: 1 UK: 1 Other: 1 Shipping Notes: This item will be shipped by Federal Express at seller's expense. Auction started: 08/09/2000 11:30:52 PDT Auction closed: 08/23/2000 11:30:52 PDT Auction ID: 0809J752866 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last Updated: August 29, 2000 10:06:47 PDT Text Only Top of Page Amazon.com Home | Books | Music | DVD | Video | Toys & Games | Electronics | Software | Tools & Hardware | Lawn & Patio | Health & Beauty | Kitchen | New Cars | e-Cards | Auctions | sothebys.amazon.com | zShops 1-Click Settings | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Help sothebys.amazon.com | Advanced Search | Browse Categories | Help & Information | Special Sales | Buying Guides | Manage Your Account | Dealer Account Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de [Powered with HP] Legal Notices © 1996-2000, Amazon.com, Inc.