Rare Roman coin depicting Julius Caesar’s assassin Brutus fetches €1.98 million at auction

A rare Roman coin depicting Brutus, known for his role in the assassination of Julius Caesar, was sold at a Geneva auction on Monday for €1.98 million.

Organised by Numismatica Genevensis, the sale saw intense bidding from eight online participants, with a European collector ultimately securing the historic artefact, reported the news agency AFP.

Weighing eight grams and comparable in size to a modern euro, the coin was minted in 43-42 BC by Brutus and his allies following Caesar's murder in 44 BC.

Its front features Brutus' profile encircled by a laurel wreath, while the reverse showcases symbols of war, celebrating military victories. As Frank Baldacci, director of Numismatica Genevensis, explained, the laurel wreath signified Brutus' aspirations to portray himself as a ruler and served as a piece of propaganda during the waning days of the Roman Republic.

Initially valued at over €800,000, the coin's historical significance and rarity—being one of only 17 known examples, drove its final price to more than 1.83 million Swiss francs ($2.09 million).

Numismatica Genevensis highlighted its fascinating provenance, having resurfaced in the 1950s in a private collector's catalogue before being sold at a Zurich auction in 2006 for 360,000 Swiss francs.