One of Rome’s “Liberators”

Triton XVI, Lot: 1670. Estimate $3000. Sold for $4500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ROMAN. Imperatorial. Lot of Five (5) AR Denarii of C. Cassius Longinus, Early 42 BC. All coins: Military mint, probably at Smyrna. P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, legate. Filleted tripod surmounted by cortina and two laurel branches / Capis and lituus. Crawford 500/1; CRI 219; Sydenham 1308; RSC 7. EF, with little centering issues. LOT SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS. Five (5) coins in lot.

The obverse of this rare denarius closely copies the reverse of the aureus struck by M. Aquinius, and was probably minted on the occasion of the meeting in Smyrna between Cassius and Brutus. The capis and lituus, symbols of the pontificate, recall Spinther’s election to that college in 57 BC.