The Republicans. C. Cassius Longinus. Spring 42 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.85 g, 6h). Military mint, probably at Smyrna; P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, legatus. NGC Photo Certificate 8559788-006, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface, 4/5.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 4.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

The PLZ Collection, Silver

Estimate: $ 2 000

BID NOW

The Republicans. C. Cassius Longinus. Spring 42 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.85 g, 6h). Military mint, probably at Smyrna; P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther, legatus. Tripod surmounted by cortina and two laurel branches, fillet hanging on either side; C • CASSI upwards to left, IMP upwards to right / Capis and lituus; LENTVLVS/SPINT in two lines below. Crawford 500/1; CRI 219; Sydenham 1308; RSC 7; BMCRR East 79; Kestner –; RBW 1761. NGC Photo Certificate 8559788-006, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface, 4/5.

From the PLZ Collection, purchased from Antiqua.

Born into a senatorial family but lacking any real talent for politics, Gaius Cassius Longinus found soldiering more to his liking and joined the triumvir Crassus on his doomed expedition against the Parthians in 53 BC. Cassius managed to rescue himself and a handful of others from the massacre and escaped to Roman Syria, where he remained for another two years ably defending the province from Parthian attack. He returned to Rome as a war hero in 51 BC and fell in with the Pompeian faction, serving as tribune and commander of Pompey’s fleet during the civil war of 49-48 BC.

After Pompey’s defeat and death, Cassius accepted a pardon from Caesar and loyally served him for the next four years. Cassius had a high opinion of himself and perhaps hoped to attain supreme power once Caesar retired, but it soon became apparent the dictator had no intention of stepping down. Thus, Cassius suborned his close friend Marcus Junius Brutus and several other senators into a conspiracy, and he was one of the first to plunge his dagger into Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 BC. After fleeing Rome with the other conspirators, Cassius returned to Syria and commandeered several seasoned legions and a fleet, which he used to attack and pillage the wealthy island of Rhodes in order to procure gold for the approaching civil war. He joined forces with Brutus in 42 BC and the two marched into Thrace to meet the pro-Caesarian legions led by Mark Antony and Octavian. Though their army outnumbered the Caesarians, Cassius and Brutus seemed oddly fatalistic and made a suicide pact should either meet defeat or capture. At the first clash at Philippi in early October, Cassius suffered a reverse and rashly fell on his sword before he could be told that Brutus had counterattacked and saved the day. Demoralized by his friend’s death, Brutus was easily defeated three weeks later and took his own life.

The present coin is perfectly centered with exceptional remaining details.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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