Imperatorial Issues
C. Cassius and Brutus with Lentulus Spint. Denarius, mint moving with Brutus and Cassius 43-42, AR 3.63 g. BRVTVS Simpulum between sacrificial jug and knife. Rev. LENTVLVS / SPINT Jug and lituus . Babelon Junia 41 and Cornelia 71. C 6. Sydenham 1310. Sear Imperators 198. RBW 1766. Crawford 500/7.
Rare. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc Privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk.

A large number of these coins have come on the market recently. I had an early pick of the finest of the specimens that Harlan Berk had purchased. I would expect it will take years for the market to fully absorb these coins but once they are gone the issue will again likely become difficult to find. If you don’t have these two coins I wouldn’t wait much longer as they are already beginning to appear less frequently. MSG.

P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther was a former supporter of Pompey and was in the employ of Cassius at the time these two coin types were minted. Spinther was an augur which identifies the reverse symbols on both issues. The obverse symbols for Brutus relate to his election to the college of pontifices. The obverse symbol of the tripod on the issue for Cassius would seem to relate to Apollo as the God of prophecy.

These coins were likely minted when Brutus and Cassius met at Smyrna to join forces for the eventual battle with Antony and Octavian. Both conspirators had heavily leveraged the citizens of the territories they controlled and the silver raised was likely used to produce these coin types in anticipation of war. Note that Cassius has been hailed ”imperator” and this title is not yet on the coinage of Brutus indicating he has clearly not yet taken this title for himself. MSG.