A rare Roman coin depicting Brutus sold for nearly $2.1 million at auction in Switzerland, crushing presale estimates.
The coin, which the auction house calls “one of the most important and famous coins in Roman numismatics,” was minted in the aftermath of Brutus’ famous assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.E.
Featuring a profile of Brutus in a laurel wreath on the front and war symbols on the back, the coin projected power for the striving leader, though he would be defeated in the Battle of Philippi shortly thereafter.
Only 17 of these coins are believed to have survived over 2,000 years later. According to the auction house, it first resurfaced in the 1950s and was sold in 2006 for around $350,000.
The most expensive coin ever sold at auction is an American 1933 Double Eagle which sold for $18.9 million in 2021. According to ArtNet, the most expensive ancient coin is a Greek coin which sold for $6 million in 2023.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.