It is the only Roman coin to mention a specific date, the only Roman coin to openly celebrate an act of murder, and one of the very few specific coins mentioned by a classical author. The man depicted on the obverse, Marcus Junius Brutus, was one of the key ringleaders of the assassination plot, despite being the son of Julius Caesar’s long-time mistress, Servilia. The coin celebrates the murder of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March. No. OC152, Manchester Museum (Image from Manchester Museum Collection Online) The coin was struck by a moving mint that travelled with Brutus’ and Cassius’ army in Northern Greece in the summer of 42 BC, just a month or so before Brutus’s defeat and suicide at the Battle of Philippi.Įlectrotype copy of denarius of Brutus, Acc. Located in Manchester Museum’s Money gallery, the Eid Mar coin has been voted the greatest of ancient coins by numismatists because of its rarity and immense historical significance. Beware, the Ides of March is nearly upon us! From the Classical world to Shakespeare … today’s post by Judith from the Visitor Team is inspired by one of the Roman coins from the Money gallery at Manchester MuseumĪnd for more about the objects and collections at Manchester Museum, have a look at the Curators’ blogs.
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